So over the summer my original flexplate began making noise and it slowly got worse until I had it replaced. The noise was a loud squealing sound. The video for that can be viewed in this thread: https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tran...rse-drive.html
I had it replaced and had another flexplate installed. The flexplate began making a not as loud version of the noise after a few months and there was a popping noise from that plastic cover near the oil filter. From what I know that flexplate wasn't wrapped or cracked but it started to rust after a few months (I believe it was from O'Reillys). The original flexplate however, was cracked by the bolts.

I had the flexplate replaced again recently and right away it began making a new noise. However, the noise is different. This time it sounds more like a metal ticking. I'm 99% sure it's not the lifters. It sounds like it's coming from under the car near the fire wall. It only comes on during acceleration and I only really hear it from 20-45 MPH or so. Around 50 the car sounds quieter. At idle I don't hear it. But again it sounds like it's from the firewall area. When it's really cold out in the morning it sounds even louder and the metal sounds are really pronounced.

That being said there is no loss of oil pressure, oil is still gold (I know color doesn't always mean anything) no loss of power, just did a tune up and she starts fine. This time no hard starts but the original flexplate did give me a few hard starts back over the summer. Now she starts up on the first turn of the key with no problem.

Car is a 1986 Camaro IROC Z with TPI 305 and a rebuilt 700R4. Flexplate bolts are also new.

 

Sounds like an exhaust leak close to the head. Manifold flange or the like.

Not metallic, not the flex plate, IMO.

 

I'll see if the headers are lose. Maybes where they meet the Y-Pipe like you said. It sounds more metallic in person though with the windows down.

 

So this is your third flexplate and still chasing issues you think are related to it? You need to be looking at everything else, NOT the flexplate...

BTW, I'm not sure what you mean about your previous flexplate causing hard starts but it sounds like you need to find a mechanically experienced friend and start inviting him over for beer.

 

+1

 

Sadly, I'm probably the most mechanically experienced person in my neighborhood (which isn't saying much). I'm the only who owns a car older than circa 2008 or so.

I did a full tune up recently (plugs, wires, cap and rotor) that I put off doing for months. That could have been part of the hard starts. Now it starts on the first key every try.

 

Update. I tried the soapy water trick and didn't see any bubbles with the exhaust warm. I'll try it again later. I checked all of the bolts (headers on the cylinder heads, Headers to Y-Pipe, yipe to muffler) and all of them were tight save for one bolt on the driver side header to y-pipe flange. The bolt is on the yipe side and it seems like it's stripped and spins forever. Could this cause an exhaust leak?

My exhaust is a full hooker system that is only 4 years old, no rust no cracks by the look of it. Could a stripped bolt cause a leak at the flange? The only other thing I noticed was on the passenger side at the header flange, the plastic cover for the flexplate area that's behind the oil filter is very lose and smacks the header flange. I'm not sure if this could cause a loud metallic noise or not. I'm leaning more towards that stripped bolt.