knocking sound toward bottom of my 88

I have a noise that is seemingly coming form the bottom end of my 1990 88. This noise is very similar to a rod knock. I have seen other messages similar to this, however, i am going to elaborate on the problem a little bit. When the sound started the car died and would not restart. I replaced the fuel filter, plugs, wires, and coil pack. The car still would not start. I assumed that it had jumped time and started with removing the balancer. It was then that i discovered the keyway was broken. I replaced the balancer but not the key. I started the car, the noise started and as it got worse the car died again and would not restart. I discovered that the key in the crank/bottom timing gear/ balancer was worn and replaced it. The car runs great now but still has this noise. Standing at the front of the car, it sounds as if it is coming from the left hand side of the car (the front of the motor). When standing on the passenger side, with head level with the fender, it sounds to be in the top but it is best heard at the fender well and sounds like it is coming dead from the balancer itself. I removed the oil filter and started the car to ensure that the pump was working which it is. When removing the serpentine belt, the noise is still there but rather faint. Also the same applies when revving the engine. If anyone has a clue as to the problem here, PLEASE let me know. I know the older 3.8's are great engines and would really like to have this one on the road again.

It is possible that the balancer is bad and needs to be replaced. They will often knock when they are going bad due to the rubber between the outer and inner parts of the balancer going bad causing them to hit one another. You may want to change it soon as it may cause the front bearing to go bad.

i dont think that is the case this time, it is a brand new balancer with less than 10 minutes of run time on it

maybe exhaust leak?

there is definately an exhaust leak, but i have ruled that out as well, i just came in from outside, i started the car and crawled underneath, i dont hear anything coming from the oil pan but definately from that dang balancer. this is confusing me more and more

is it in the rear end or the front end the knocking i heard on my eighty eight was in the rear end and i just grease the rear end once in awhile