I've got an 83 S-10 Longbed 2wd with a 2.8 and automatic. I'm getting a loud clanging/metallic tapping noise at idle when the engine is warmed up. The engine runs fine and has decent oil pressure. I took off the drive belts and ran the engine briefly - the noise continued. I put the truck on jack stands and got under it with the engine running. The noise seems to be loudest in the bellhousing area. I pulled the bottom cover off the housing and inspected the flexplate/torque convertor. All the bolts are tight, and, the flexplate has no visible cracks in it that I can see. I also replaced the fuel pump because it was making a good bit of noise. I've checked the engine topside with a rod type stepescope and hear no noise from the timing chain, valve gear, or from the block itself. Is it possible that my flexplate is cracked in the area where it bolts on to the crank and I can't see it?? The engine has 140K on it, and, the tranny has about 50K on it. Appreciate any advice on this.

Regards:
Oldengineer

I don't think that you have to worry about the flex plate. The starter would start acting weird long before you could hear the clanging. Not to mention the angine and torque converter would absorb most of the noise
If you can see the rear of the torque converter take a look to see if anything is sticking out from it.

Ususlly a clang will come from a light gauge steel that doesn't have a lot of structural suport built into it. Something like a fan blade hitting anything.

Good Luck, that sunds like it could be a tough one to find just because of the area it's in.