The tapping sound that u have explained seems that it could be a worn camshaft, I had a similar sound from start up on my 3.5 at 100k miles back in 1996, so the cam and the rest of the kit was replaced, a £1000 later the tapping was gone.
As for the manifold or manifold to Y pipe gasket for a 1998 D1 what part number are you looking for there's only one for your vehicles 1998 VIN WA for each item NOT several, it's the same as the MA VIN . Also there's no parts listed for the D1 starting with HRC listed in the D1s part catalogue.