He seems to have found the problem. He removed the front of the motor, timing belt and then the whole rocker assembly on the head. The oil should flow from the head through the assembly. He then took a .035 mig wire and ran it through the oil passage in the head. Could feel something and poked through it. Couldn't see what it was. Put it back together and ran it with the valve cover off and is now getting plenty of oil and no noise. Hopefully it isn't something that will reappear but even if it does, at least he has a clue.
Thanks again for the help.