Mitsubishi Repair: Valves Tapping, mitsubishi galant, home mechanic

Question
I have a 1995 Mitsubishi Galant 2.4L SOHC.  The timing belt broke, and you know what that means, bent valves.  I had a valve job done at a local (and Reputable) shop.  I did all of the engine tear down and rebuild on my own.  I timed the valves to the specifications of my repair manual and it fired right up the first time. I adjusted the ignition timing to 5 degrees BTDC (Computer timing terminal bridged), Which left me right where I needed to be (10 btdc, computer controlled.)  At this setting It idles at 1200 rpm, a bit to high, but still runs great.  I've played with the timing and the throttle and no matter what I do it continues to idle high.  When I put the car in gear, the Idle drops down to about 800, where it should be.  When this happens I get an extremely loud, rapid tapping noise from the motor, which I belive to be the valves.  I've noticed that it has to idle at least 1000 RPM to avoid this condition. I've also noticed that the engine lacks power.  Is my timing off?  If so, Is it the ignition, valves, or both?  Or is there a chance that my oil pump is going bad, not letting enough oil to the rockers at a lower RPM, thus causing the tapping noise? If you have any insight it would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks again for your time.


                                  Sincerely,
                                  Andy, The frustrated
                                  Home Mechanic.

Answer
Andy: This sounds like to me that you do not have the timing belt on the right marks. I know in older cars those marks are often than not hard to read. I know in one car it took us three times to get that timing belt right. That was three times putting that car all together and taking it apart again. But finely we got it. Yes, I think I would change the oil pump too. Still I know the shop was a repuatable shop but maybe you should go back to them and see what they might find as the problem it could have been something they did or didn't do right. I hope this helps and God bless: Linda