thanks for the advice... yea the tapping sound does not increase with the engine... the tapping sound is there always... as long at its just idleing. as soon as i raise the engine just a little bit it goes away until it idles back down, then its back. the other loud clanking sound only happens when in gear and revs to about 3700rpms. as soon as it gets 3700rpms a loud noise "like rocks shaking around in a metal box" starts up. the clanking noise is the one that only happens in gear. while in N or P i can rev it to and pass 3700rpm and everything is good.

yesterday i put the floor jack under to look at converter and flywheel and im not sure if your suppose to be able to wiggle the converter and flywheel at all. but it does spin about 1/10 of a turn. is there really that much slack in the engine?? normal? i didnt have the tools to do anything yesterday but i will have them later today. hopefully i can find out what it is before monday and i hope its not to serious.