What is causing my transmission to make this awful sound?

[marcus]

Newbie question -

I assume the tin cover is also know as the flywheel bellhousing dust cover? What is involved with removing it?

[tman]

The cover gives you access to the converter bolts.  Once you check that the bolt is tight, then you have to turn the motor to check the rest of the bolts.

[Kapteenikosmos]

Newbie question -

I assume the tin cover is also know as the flywheel bellhousing dust cover? What is involved with removing it?

Yours is a small block version so it is bit different than mine. Link to small block dust shield:
http://www.classicindustries.com/product/mopar/parts/md2550.html

This is the one I have behind my 383:

http://www.classicindustries.com/product/mopar/parts/md2539.html

But anyway just remove all the bolts and it should come out.

[jhaag]

you neglected to mention the starter replacement before now. hard to help without all the info. why not try the old starter, (if it still works) and see if that fixes the problem? Is the indexing hole in the trans worn? I would start there. 

[TelisSE440]

Marcus did you look into it? What happened? 

[734406pk]

Marcus did you look into it? What happened? 

I'm wondering myself. I hope it's loose converter bolts rubbing on the tin cover, it sure does sound awful!

[marcus]

you neglected to mention the starter replacement before now. hard to help without all the info. why not try the old starter, (if it still works) and see if that fixes the problem? Is the indexing hole in the trans worn? I would start there. 

In my first post I mentioned the noise started after replacing the smashed headers and leaking power steering gear. If you read that thread you will see all the gory details of everything I did before the noise started which includes replacing the starter. Replacing the stock starter with a mini unit as that was required in order for the new headers to fit.

The new headers do not hang as low as the older smashed ones. Hopefully they will not get as smashed as easy. What is the transmission indexing hole? The sound did not exist until after I swapped out the headers (and starter). Could doing that wear it out faster?

[marcus]

Marcus did you look into it? What happened? 

I'm wondering myself. I hope it's loose converter bolts rubbing on the tin cover, it sure does sound awful!

Late nights working all week. Going to pull the cover and inspect it tomorrow. Hope it's an easy fix cause I just want to drive this baby!!

[marcus]

Pulled the cover and found














Note the fresh metal on the cover. Top right of photo.


Put the cover and starter back on and reinstalled the starter. The noise is still there...

http://youtu.be/vuD9Vnn3_vo

There is fresh metal markings in a couple of places on the dust cover. So apparently, replacing the starter has caused this to occur? Perhaps the new starter has caused the cover to flex in a way that causes rubbing?

[73440]

follow the circumference of the new markings should indicate what is hitting.
Teeth look good.

[marcus]

Took the cover off and put the starter back in. The noise is gone. Car runs great. Cannot drive it very long without the cover and would like to understand why it's rubbing....
Two theorys

• The new starter has resulted in bending the dust cover metal is such a way that has caused it to rub on the flywheel bolt thingie (newbie language).
• Jacking up the motor to get the headers out bent or broke something

But for now the only noise I hear is the sound of sweet long tubes with no exhaust leaks. Time to go on another drive! 

[73440]

I raise a toast to the good noises!!!
Can you have a camera  watch what happens when shifting and the cover off, as mentioned by others, is something moving?

I'm dealing with a starter grinding 2nd or third start try .
Tried to pull the starter, headers not allowing , so onto next try.

[tman]

Maybe flex or pound out the spots making contact.  Should be able to use that cover.

[brads70]

That one bolt you show doesn't look to be the one that made contact? No marks on it? I'd turn the motor over and inspect each convertor bolt till you find the one that is the problem. Maybe one is loose and sticking up?

[1 Wild R/T]

That one bolt you show doesn't look to be the one that made contact? No marks on it? I'd turn the motor over and inspect each convertor bolt till you find the one that is the problem. Maybe one is loose and sticking up?

It's not a bolt rubbing, the bolts ride in the formed channel on the cover.... It appears the flex plate edge is rubbed bare.... Likely the plate got bent a little, flex it or hammer it for clearance & put it back on....