Name that Grinding Noise

[95ImpySS]

That's 2 for cracked flex plate and 2 for major failure... I'm going to do some more investigating Friday. I cant bring my self to go work on the car again tonight. Too much invested to be rebuilding after 50 miles.

I forgot to mention that I have an electric water pump and have removed the drive gear from the block. Noise does not change with or without accessory drive belt on. I did use Stainless steel bolts on the cam retainer plate. I don't think stainless is "that" weak and would have failed in that application. Oil pump drive shaft is a solid ARP unit.

Another odd note, the car wouldn't start after the opti swap. I had to crank it over with the fuel pump off to clear the rail and cyls. Then re install and it would start up like normal. Hot start would just flood out. After I confirmed the noise was still there I decided to start it one last time before going home and it fired right up. Seems like there are numerous problems afoot.

I do fear the engine is going to need to come back out. So much for perfect paint huh