check the dampner , I had one sound like the crank and rods were about to come out of the engine. The dampner was starting to come apart . Used a timing light to watch the dampner . I couldnt believe the movement it had .

Nope. Sorry.

now are these valves hydraulic or?

You talkin gabout the lifters? Yes, hydraulic

I will add this..Please (im sorry i forgot before hock reminded me) Check your Hb if the rubber is falling apart it could be a good sourch..Also maybe the Tc bolts have come loose they make a pretty erie noise when they do..Ask me how i know lol..Those two things are easy to check with only the removal of some plastic..The pass side splash guard and the Inspection cover on the bottom of the engine trans for the TC

yeah, i think the Harmonic Balancer is going to be the next thing I check. I cut the oil filter open at school yesterday, but she was clean as a whistle, well aside from needing a new oil change in the next 1000k or so... but other than that, no shrapnel. Im still not ENTIRELY convinced the bearings are okay, so Im going to take the oil pan off next week. ive got "Reading week" essentially spring break to make a final decision on the old girl. Im going to post some pictures of the filter carnage and all the work ive done so far, as well as the stuff I rip apart next week. definately going to keep you guys posted.

Thanks for all of the help guys!

Hey guys

Well first off i want to give a HUGE thanks to Hock and SSEDRIVER97. you guys NAILED it! got the engine back together after a lot of procrastinating, and lo and behold the bloody balancer area is rattling like the armageddon is upon us! took me some time to figure it out, and remember your suggestion, and ive got video evidence of it, im trying to upload the sights and sounds to youtube, and ill keep you guys posted, but the next thing to come off are those inspection covers. now just a quick question on the balancer...is it just bolt on...or do i have to get a puller set?...scratch that, a little csi work in my haynes has that question answered, darn thing just bolts on! DAMN I LOVE THESE CARS!!, ill be checking the Tc as well while im under there...

Once again THANKS GUYS!!!

It has one bolt holding it on, but you will still need a harmonic balancer puller. It comes off easy. You will need a new harmonic balancer bolt because it'* a torque to yield bolt and not reusable.

heres the link to the video i took

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cl50MHVk9to

Great ! glad its working out for you , Like Dan said you'll need a puller .