I tore into my engine to fix a cracked valve and also replaced the timing chain tensioner while I was in there. I drove it down the road and it jumped timing and shut off. I retimed it and got another new tensioner just in case and it jumped again. Also sounds like the rockers are tapping but idk at this point. Any advice is greatly appreciated

 

This is an excerpt I've torn from a post I'd replied to in a wrong forum but it is relevant to your post/headline topic...

Although, my 04 R53 (100k + mi) does not exhibit a flickering oil pressure warning light (the light does work), in addition; I also have a mechanical oil pressure gauge mounted on the column.
The light on the dash turns on at start and goes out promptly thereafter during warmup/idle. I run Castrol FS 5w20.
My gauge reads: 35-40psi upon start up, drops to 23-28psi @ idle/OT, @ OT/cruising, sits @ 25- 32psi @ 3,000rpms, drops down to 2psi @ OT while stopped/idling at a red light (depending how many miles/hot the engine is).
I removed my pressure sending unit and hooked up a pressure gauge directly to the oil filter/block. I discovered my my mechanical oil pressure gauge is off by as much as 3psi.
Having confirmed the actual oil pressure with an independent gauge directly at the oil filter housing, was the only true way (for me) to be sure oil pressure accuracy.

I am confident and safe knowing for certain.

So, for anyone who is interested: (For a 1st Gen Mini R50/R52/R53) the Bentley manual states normal oil pressure @ OT/idle = 3.6psi and between 25-80psi @ OT/cruising speed @3,000 + rpms