Baffles in the pan is to keep oil in the sump(at the pickup) at all times. If you don't have baffles, on acceleration oil will go to the rear and climb up the side of the pan, on deceleration the oil will go to the front of the pan leaving the sump dry and no oil!. Could explain the knocking noise, bearings are gone??????..What they meant by a cylinder low is more than likely it's low on compression in that one cylinder!..Cause could be from valves, rings, chamber volume?????...From the sound of things it's time start from scratch with that baby!...