The noise became unbearable so I took my motor out today and tore it down just to find that the noise was coming from a broken flex plate (automatic transmission flywheel). It was making a horrible ticking noise, sometimes sounded like knocking, and the last time I drove the truck, a grinding noise also. I wish I spotted that BEFORE I took the heads off. I was getting ready to take the crank out. Went to pull the flywheel and rear main seal first to notice the broken flex plate. A little warning to those of you who think they are experts and know exactly what the problem is.....CHECK EVERYTHING BEFORE TEARING DOWN THE ENGINE! Changing the flex plate could have been a 4-6 hr job has now turned into a 4 day complete engine clean, paint, and rebuild. I'm just glad I didn't unbolt the crank yet.

 

Pics?

 

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/members...ild-17107.html

They are in that album. Along with the mods I'm doing while the motor is apart.