What is causing my transmission to make this awful sound?

[mopar jack]

I've run without a cover for years no problem. Probably helps remove some heat around the converter.

[marcus]

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....

Perhaps it got a little bent when I jacked up the motor? I'll give that a try tomorrow.

[tman]

You would figure there would be a vibration if its moving that much.  I was thinking flex or pound on the cover to stop the noise.  I have heard of flex plates cracking. 

[tman]

Ok, as long as you can think what caused the change with flex plate. 

[1 Wild R/T]

Ok, as long as you can think what caused the change with flex plate.

Nothing changed with the flex plate.... The dust cover got bent toward the flex plate...

[moprr]

 I had the same problem in my old truck I bent  the cover out abit installed and Good to go.

[734406pk]

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?

I was thinking the same thing. The arc in the cover that looks like bolts were rubbing is actually a reflection (i think).The contact is next to the starter, near the center of the flex plate. May be there is a difference in the starter nose that is causing this. Good for other members know looking to replace the starter with a mini. (if that's where the issue is). The cover also spaces the starter away from the ring gear so running without the cover may damage the pinion gear if it happens to contact the ring gear. Be careful here.

[734406pk]

Oh and I'm glad you found the problem and it was simple marcus!

[marcus]

Here is how it's looking without the dust cover on.

I was thinking the same thing. The arc in the cover that looks like bolts were rubbing is actually a reflection (i think).The contact is next to the starter, near the center of the flex plate. May be there is a difference in the starter nose that is causing this. Good for other members know looking to replace the starter with a mini. (if that's where the issue is). The cover also spaces the starter away from the ring gear so running without the cover may damage the pinion gear if it happens to contact the ring gear. Be careful here.

 The arc in the cover was a reflection from to all the fresh metal exposed due to the rubbing. The dust cover does not seem to provide any additional spacing for the starter. 

[marcus]

Oh and I'm glad you found the problem and it was simple marcus!

Thanks! I'm having lots of fun driving the car now. Need to motivate myself to hammer the dust cover and try to get it back in without rubbing.

[tman]

You would not have to pound out much.......Just where it rubs.

[BFM_Cuda]

Sounds like you have this about figured out, good deal.

Since you have to pull the starter to reinstall the shield anyway, put the starter through the hole in the shield on your workbench and make sure it sits flush on the starter and there is no interference. It could be pushing it in a little when installed.

If its sitting flush, I would try to put a little bow in it to the engine side. It should be pressed up against the back of the engine block when bolted up.

[marcus]

Sounds like you have this about figured out, good deal.

Since you have to pull the starter to reinstall the shield anyway, put the starter through the hole in the shield on your workbench and make sure it sits flush on the starter and there is no interference. It could be pushing it in a little when installed.

If its sitting flush, I would try to put a little bow in it to the engine side. It should be pressed up against the back of the engine block when bolted up.

Great suggestion. I'll definitely do that. Thanks!

[734406pk]

Sounds like you have this about figured out, good deal.

Since you have to pull the starter to reinstall the shield anyway, put the starter through the hole in the shield on your workbench and make sure it sits flush on the starter and there is no interference. It could be pushing it in a little when installed.

If its sitting flush, I would try to put a little bow in it to the engine side. It should be pressed up against the back of the engine block when bolted up.