So today we looked further into the knocking noise. Here is the video that I posted earlier after I replaced the rockers and heard the noise coming from the torque converter area.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6UQfii_xOY
We checked the tightness and clearance of the flexplate bolts and everything was fine. We unbolted the torque converter and pulled it away from the flexplate but we still heard the knocking noise. Nothing was hitting the starter. Here is a video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbFnWHU6xio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5MpaF2ihcA
Here is a video at 1st start when I 1st got the motor installed (no miles on the motor)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHLshwwe-Tc
Here is a start from tonight from the same angle as the 1st start.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q74Tj_I2mk4
Now, I don't know much about cars at all. This whole thing is new to me. My buddy today suggested that we pull the plugs out and spin the motor at the crank. He said that it would get rid of the compression. We did that and he was surprised that it was difficult to spin the motor. I have no idea what that means, I'm just going by what he said.
The knocking noise seems to start at the location of the flexplate and travels through to the front, lower half of the motor. I know sound can travel in an odd way sometimes but I'm just saying what it sounded like. The oil pressure was reading good and the temperature gauge was at 185 degrees. The flexplate was balanced and there are no visible signs of a crack!
If anyone can offer any ideas, suggestions or thoughts, I would appreciate it. The motor maybe has 45 miles on it now.