So, i recently picked up an old 2001 ram 1500 3.9l. It needed some work. From the start, i knew it had transmission issues. Reverse did not work. It had a bad coolent leak. So i replaced the oil pan gasket, the timing cover gasket, and the water pump. Got it back together, and it fired up great! But was knocking bad. Thought it was the Engine at first, and that i had perhaps put to much oil in. So i drained half a qt. The problom continued. So, i checked to see if the knock continued if i put it in diffrent gears. And i realized, that in reverse, (the one gear that dosent work)the knock stops! So now im wondering if it is the trans?.. however, to my knowledge, i did not mess with anything trans related. And it did not knock prior to working on it. I am no Mechanic by any means. But im 90% sure i put it all back together correctly. The knock it loud, and goes faster with rpm. I let it warm up, and reved it a few good times(2000-4000rpm). Now, the knock also happens in reverse, but not as loud as the other gears. Any ideas would be wonderful! Thank you!

 

Trans needs to come out anyway......

Moving this to 2nd Gen ram section for ya.

 

Did you change out the timing gears/chain?

 

Might want to check the flex plate. Happened to an old K20 that I have. Replaced the flex plate, good as new with no knocking.

 

Take the serp belt off the crank and see if the knock is there or not. If it goes away you know it's something that the belt drives.