95 Escort Wagon, grinding/scraping noise in park and neutral

[jshiver]

The problem started this morning right after I ran through and almost got stuck in some mud while going over a huge hump in the road. (An everyday occurrence) The car scraped the hump more than it normally does but wasn't really bad. Used to run over it in identical car but no problems surfaced.
Right after this happened whenever I put the car into reverse as soon as it touched neutral the grinding noise started. LOUDLY... Tried putting it into park and got the same thing. Otherwise it ran great.
Got it home and the engine would not shut off.

I had to leave it in drive with the emergency brake on with all power cut off from under the hood.

It sounded like the fan was running very loud but husband said that that noise was the starter. He won't be able to look at it more until later and I just wanted to have some idea of what to be looking for.

Thanks

[spiky1987]

It can be a the cover on the catalytic converter ... ?? is this the name of the piece below the manifold there the exausht start , i had the same problem it make the sound like at 900 rpm... si just remove this piece