Ok so it started out as tick that comes and goes. Now today I noticed that that has become a rattle. Most all the times it's there but not always. It's not a knock it's a rattle. What do I need to look for as an external cause ? I know flex plate bolts. But what else I'm hoping it's not an internal noise.

 

Maybe check clearance between crossmember and exhaust. Sometimes that will be too close and will rattle

 

Clarify, please.

Have you done the flexplate bolts yet?

As stated above, could be exhaust. Condition of engine and trans mounts?

 

Check your distributor for shaft play. Another test is to try and move the cap while the engine is running. The sound echos through the whole engine and is hard to find.

 

Ok here's what I know. It's a metallic rattle. Comes and goes randomly loser so when engine is under a load like with ac on. But will happen at idle. I haven't check the flywheel bolts yet or mounts or exhaust. I will be doing this today when I can put it on a lift

 

Wear and slack in the valve train.

They can last a long time doing that, if that's what it ends up being.

 

Got to work and let her idle and she's quite now.

 

They are real quiet right before they seize up.

 

Check the bolts and get one of these:

 

I'm ok with running it once I know what it is. I know it's not a rod knock I've diagnosed those AR work a lot before. This is just a strange rattle and those seem that they could be more dangerous than a knock. I am just envisioning something small coming apart internally and destroying my engine

 

I have one of them my best diagnostic tool next to a person who's more experienced than I am. That's why I turn to you guys

 

We'll I found some loose torque convertier bolts. Have t tightened them yet. But I will when I get a free min at work.

 

Good news. Are you done yet? Using LocTite?

 

No I didn't use lock tite. I just tightened them I'm going to use lock tite when I have more time. It's quite now actually quiter than it has ever been.