93 Duster Grinding 2-3k RPMs and...

[measuretwice]

I havent had a chance to look yet, but my 93 Duster with about 124,000 miles on it (I have had it for about 1,000) has started making a horrible grinding/'loose metal piece'/sort of noise. Was on the highway and had to pass someone up around 4k rpms and heard/felt a sort of grinding noise in the engine compartment. After that there was nothing noticable as long as I had my foot on the gas holding speed/rpm, or accelerating. But as soon as I lay off the gas and the rpms ease off, grinding noise is back. Got her nervously home and found at 2k rpms and below, no problem, but sitting in N or P, little bit of gas just to hear how it handles, starting around 2k rpms up to 3k rpms (highest I dared take it) nasty grinding/loose metal noise. I get the feeling something broke in my torqe converter. So, any ideas? Advice? I have gotten 2 seperate cars going that sat in driveways untouched for more than 3 years, I've done breaks, oil, carbs, filters, manifolds, hoses, fuel, suspension, electrical systems, etc, but never really dug into drivetrain or engine before. Is this over my head? Thanks in advance for any help. Oh, its a 4 cyl, 2.5 L with TBI

[Kidego31]

This might sound stupid but check your motor mounts and exhaust. My 93 did about the same thing and I found the front mount was loose and with rpm it moved the engine and made the exhaust rub and it made a grinding like sound.

[measuretwice]

Well, I went to finally take a look and work on it, and the problem seemingly went away (as in, no more noise). That is, until a couple weeks ago. Driving to work in the morning and lost all acceleration. If I touched the gas, got a horrible noise from the engine. Tried dropping into lower gears (as I was coming off the highway and needed to get clear of traffic) to slowly pull away and got nothing (maybe the tranny had blown out). Anyways, I stand vindicated as the flywheel snapped, a LONG time ago, before I even got it. But it jammed itself together enough to still drive for some time before finally coming completely apart. The center of it, as attached to the crankshaft, spun out of the rest of the wheel! Ouch! But replaced the wheel and the chewed timing belt, and now my car actually accelerates like it should! Go figure huh.