I tried a search but I couldn't find anything like this. Only the opposite. What could be wrong if the cars only making this sound in park or neutral? Everything's shifting fine. Tranny is a 700r4 stock on a 305tbi. Thank you

 

Sounds like a Torque Converter problem. Mine ticks in reverse. Seems to go away after warm-up, sometimes.

 

Take the torque converter inspection cover off of the bottom / front of the transmission and check to see if the 3 bolts holding the torque converter to the ring gear are loose . What you describe is the classic symptom of loose torque converter bolts and this is a REALLY easy thing to check for .

I had a Cadillac do this very same thing once long ago , and when the old timers told me what to do it took all of 10 minutes to fix

 

Just to clarify, this tick I have is definitely the Torque Converter. It was much louder when first putting the new trans and TC i, because of depleted fluids. Once fluids have been run through it the TC has quieted down quite a bit, but still has intermittent tick in Reverse. I hear 50/50 good/bad with the TCI converters. I'm dealing with it until I can Tremec 5spd swap.

 

Well I was doing an oil change and I finally checked. There was no movment in the ring gear I tried to move it every which way. The 2 bolts I got a wrench on were really tight. So I don't think that was it.

Upon further investigation I'm noticing the sound coming from the water pump or directly behind it. The autozone guy said it could be my timing chain is loose. The water pump is less than a year old so I don't think that's it. I've notcied the sound now in drive now also. At lower rpms.

 

You meant 3 right???

 

Well I knew there was three but I could really only get a wrench on 2 of them. The thing was on there tight though I yanked on it and it wasnt moving. And now that its making the sound in drive as well. I dont think this could be it. I am very greatful of all replys and help on here! This site is awesome.

 

Ok so an update. I have now noticed after a couple oil changes that the sound goes away for the first few weeks after I change the oil. My thoughts were its burning oil slowly and the oil level is just getting low and the timing chain is rattling since its coming from the center area of the motor. Like water pump area. (has an new water pump) However, even when I check the oil level when its rattling it says it's got plenty of oil in it. But if I change the oil with the correct amount it goes away.

edit -This could maybe get moved to the engine technical area.