Sounds exactly like what my truck did after doing my head gaskets.
Had a loud thumping noise coming out of the intake. Retard me left #2 exhaust valve lash nut loose and it backed all the way off so the valve wasn't even opening. Pulled the valve cover and there it was, loose as a goose. Tightened it up to spec and all is good. Been a year and 4 months since.