I keep jumping from project to project, trying to get my truck on the road, but I keep running into problems. I've been noticing this knock, and it seems to have started increasing in volume since I changed the oil, but I'm not 100% sure. Anyways, it seems to be coming from the front end, but I can't pin-point where it is coming from. There is also a grinding noise coming from under the dashboard area when revving the engine and then letting it come back to idle. Here's a video of both. http://www.flickr.com/photos/109250620@N03/12073274153/
It may not be important at all, but I did notice that the ac compressor is no longer engaging when I turn it on, and as a side note, there is a leak at the catalytic converter, the carb needs to be tuned, and there is a small leak at the exhaust manifold. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

Sorry to reply to my own thread, but I went out and tried a few things. First off, I noticed that it seems a lot louder from the wheel well, which is kind of confusing me as when I'm standing in front of the truck, it definitely sounds like it is coming from the front of the engine, but when I am underneath, or at least at the wheel well, it sounds like it is from the back more. I also tried the whole pulling the spark plug boot thing, and here is what happened in order from very front of engine to rear: #1 slight drop in rpm and noise seemed to decrease slightly. #2 same as the first. #3 Higher drop in rpm, engine seemed to want to be rough and noise wasn't as noticeable. #4 same as the third. It is idling at 1,000RPM, as I haven't tune the carb yet.

So anyways, this pretty much gets me nowhere. I'm kind of "hoping" that it could be the timing chain or maybe my torque wrench is inaccurate and I tightened the valve cover bolts too tight. But I'm kind of lost.