knocking noise after starter install

[DosStangs]

could use some suggestions/advise here on my '67

My '67 has a 302 from a '74 Maverick, and the original C4 with a shift kit. I recently replaced the starter, as the car would not start (would give a grinding/screeching noise, and the crank would not turn). Turned out the bolts on the starter were backing out, so the starter wasn't seating right.

After installing a new starter, the car starts fine, but I get a knocking noise. Sometimes it's only in reverse, other times in all gears and at idle. There is also a clunk when I shift out of park. I did not have this problem prior to replacing the starter. Known issues are: the teeth on the flywheel are a bit chewed up from the old starter backing out; also, it does have a persistent tranny fluid leak that has not been resolved with new pan gaskets or straightening out the pan. I do keep the fluid level full though.

So what are everyone's thoughts? Would the chewed up flywheel cause the knocking, or is it a bigger tranny issue?

 

[Opentracker]

I would pull the starter back out and see if the converter bolts (or something else) are hitting the starter housing. It's possible that you got a starter with a little bit different snout on it.

 

[ratio411]

Loose flexplate bolts
Loose converter bolts
Cracked flexplate
Loose ring gear

These things can make knocking sounds.
A damaged flexplate can sound just like a rod knocking...

 

[other_shoe]

I had a starter with the gear too far forward on the shaft -- it was a cheap re-manufacture. It made a hellish noise that started out as a knock and then became more of a squeal. It also varied with the gear. I ultimately figured it out by comparing the starter to one from Autozone. The bad one had the gear sitting a good quarter inch further toward the flexplate/flywheell at rest. I swapped it and no further problems.

Also, based on my messing around with the starter it seemed like a significant dent in or improper alignment of the bulbous housing that covers the plunger (sorry not to know the correct term here) could keep the gear from retracting all the way.

 

[DosStangs]

Thanks guys.
I had matched up the new starter to the old when I bought it. The gear was identical in length/size.

The noise actually went away after driving it a while yesterday, so I guess I see what happens next time I drive it.