I purchased an 03 Expedition with 5.4L 4wd with 175k miles. I purchased it knowing it had a knock in the lower end. You can hear the knock through the left or right fender, I can not hear from on top of the engine. The knock is there cold and hot. It goes away when put in gear or when revved past about 1200 rpms. Also the starter has not engaged a couple of times. Does this lead towards the flywheel being cracked?

 

That is a possibility.