Hey all, I’m pretty certain we are having some flywheel contact with the shield from time to time. I don’t see any nuts missing on the t/c, but pretty certain something is rubbing or rolling around. We checked most of the trans/engine bolts and they are tight. The C4 was rebuilt and we put it back in. Can worn motor mounts cause this? chris & Gabe
Yes it has a drain plug and yes I can see/access it through the hole in the flex plate. We installed the rebuilt trans over a year ago and this issue popped up about a month ago, intermittent. chris & Gabe
Unless transmission isn't securely bolted to engine, a rubbing issue is likely inside bell housing. A loose or cracked flexplate can make odd noises. I've seen engines with bad thrust bearing allow enough "crank walk" that converter rubbed on block plate. No evidence in your pictures anything is rubbing. Looks like at one time something knocked dimples into inspection cover. I've seen starter drives come apart and remaining debris rattle around. Had a 200 Fairmont that sprags had gotten between converter and bellhousing, blew holes in bell.
Thanks Krazy Comet, The starter seems to be working fine, but is noisy when listening under the hood. We will pull it next and have a look. Crank walk is a possibility as well, lotsa miles and a pretty severe oil leak. We need to pull it for a rebuild. I will say, looking at the abuse on the counter weight and flex plate nuts, it seems something was running loose in there. However, I didn’t find any chunks or even significant “shavings” etc. chris & Gabe