Horrible Noise, NOT belt!

[1985GT50]

Hope somebody has experience with this: I have an 85 GT 5.0 Auto. Everything belt & pulley-wise is in great shape, so I know this is not the source of the squeal. I have a constant squeaking that seems to be coming from the back of the engine bay, likely near the tranny hookup. It doesn't make any noise when engaging in gear when rpms drop <1k, or when a load is put on the accelerator at normal speeds. When it's sitting idling or coasting at speed (no accelerator pressure) it's load as a mofo.... When I shut the car off the whine pitch changes and sort of winds down and ceases about 2 seconds after the engine has cut off completely. An AutoZone guy told me he "tightened the bolts on my torque converter".....I don't know what that means, since I'm pretty sure that's inside the transmission!
Any help or direction would be much appreciated.
Additionally, my shifter doesn't seem to be recognizing the position that it's in, i.e. the starter won't crank b/c it thinks it's in drive.....I can move it back & forth while cranking and it finds the position then cranks fine....linkage issue?

 

[RatStang]

Remove the tranny and bellhousing. Check the bellhousing for any contact scrapes from the flywheel/flexplate. Remove inspect, and reinstall the torque converter, flexplate, bellhousing, and tranny using specified torque.

 

[1985GT50]

thanks.....

crap, that sounds cumbersome at best. thanks though!

 

[RatStang]

Meh... you can do it on a weekend with a jack, some stands, and Chilton or Haynes manual. I'd recommend replaceing the pilot bearing while your'e in there although getting the old one out can sometimes be hairy.

A dowel and a bar of handsoap usually works well. If not, a bearing puller with a thin hook end always works.

 

[stykthyn]

I thought autos didnt have a pilot bearing...