very loud noise when in park????

[1985GN]

ok the other day i was idling the car in park when i noticed a loud noise coming form the engine. my first thought was a piston sklapping all around or a bearing its loud nad metal to metal noise. i put the car in any other gear, d,n,1,2 dont matter the noise is not there no matter what. if in park i give the car a litle gas like another 200 rpm;s from where it is the noise goes away. now the noise seesm to be coming rom the top of the middle part of the engine. any ideas on what it could be i dont think its a bad noise but man is it loud. i figured if it was bad it would do it on the gas or in another gear other then park, thanks

 

[an87ttype]

My guess is that the shift linkage on the firewall is hitting the exaust manifold or something when in park. Shift it into to gear and it moves out of the way.
check it out...........

 

[TurboDave]

Check your torque converter bolts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[TDS-84]

Originally posted by TurboDave
Check your torque converter bolts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, what HE said. Those being a little loose will make a lot of noise, and it will come and go depending on how it's loaded, hence the sound in park vs. in gear.

Good place to start at least.