I have a 2003 F-150 4.6 4X4. I had a knocking sound that sounded like a rod knocking but was coming from the bellhousing. After some research, I found that it could be a cracked flexplate or bad torque converter. I bought and installed a new torque converter with no change. The flex plate didn't appear to have any damage but went ahead and replaced it with the same results. I actually started the engine by jumping the starter (with no transmission) and the sound was coming from the flexplate/dustcover. My question is do I need the dustcover? Or is it a bearing or something else inside the engine causing the flexplate to hit the dustcover?

 

Well, no thanks to all ford enthusiasts out there, I figured out my problem. Maybe newcomers don't get much help. Oh well, thanks anyway

 

Keep your head up sir. You did post your question at 10am when most people were at work. I would like to know what you did to fix it though.

 

Well, what was the problem??