Hot Rods Noisy flex plate, torq conv, or starter???

Just acquired a street rod with 350/350 and it has a rattley noise..not tinny..but heavier..thought something was hitting the inspection cover..not...next shimmed the starter thinking it was too deep into the flex plate..not..inspected flex plate in place and could not see any cracks or loose bolts..what's next????

 

I have probably shimmed ONE SBC starter in my days of turning wrenches... yet it seems like the first thing that people insist on doing.

So, that's not the problem. Is there a heat shield on the starter that may be loose? Look at the cooling lines and make sure they're not rubbing against something. You could still have a cracked flex plate, easy to check with a bit of effort. Remove all the torque converter to flex plate bolts, push the converter back towards the transmission and look for a loose flex plate or a crack somewhere. You'll need a strong flashlight and a mirror.

Good luck!

Bob

 

Sounds like your on the right track.I have seen the flex plate crack right at the hub which makes it very difficult to see.Unbolt the converter and move it back as far as possible and take another look. Also with the converter unbolted sometimes you can pry on the flex plate slightly fore and aft to see if you hear any noise.

 

Beat me to it!

 

Had a problem like that and the starter wasnt dissengaging all the way. (worn out)would hit it every once in awhile. I went thru the same exact things you have checked. Replaced and is all good now.

 

I bet you have a cracked flex plate. Alot of times they are very hard to find when installed.

 

I've seen that, a real confounding intermittent sound, also hard to ferret out the first time you run into it.

Bob

 

The flex plate could be warped? Either from new or improper installation? It only takes a few thou.