OK, I ran a new 90lbs magnet thru the old oil and only minor trace particles adheared to the magnet.
I also ran my hand thru the bottom of the oil and there are no other particles in the oil.
I then took the old oil filter, since I didn't have a vise, I ripped the filter media out, (which came out easy), laid it flat and ran the magnet across the trace stuff in the creases and again, nothing of note.
I closely inspected the remaining "stuff" in the filter and no brass or bearing "type" material, only paint from where the guy had oversprayed the valve springs....
I'm starting to wonder if this noise isn't just a piston slap or something....
History is the first 1900 miles the rebuild didn't make this noise, HOWEVER, it did have what I thought was a valve "tick" from the start and this is that same tick that after the 3k RPM for 1 hour run south to Miami has turned into a knock, so it's always had this noise, just now that "tick" is now a slap, i wouldn't categorize it as a knock...
The engine just keeps getting more power as it breaks in even with this sound increasing. At first I thought I noticed a power decrease but that was my head playing tricks because I had convinced myself this was valve related.
The first diesel mechanic I took this to last week said, "it sounds normal to me, these things rattle"....
I have an appointment at the stealership on Monday to have someone listen to it as well.
I visually inspected the flexplate I could see in the sun yesterday and was unable to see anything wrong, but didn't take the converter bolts out.
thanks for the assistance to here, any other suggestions? anyone just know what the hell this is?