i don't think it's the flex plate because the noise doesn't change when it's in gear.
cut the alternator belt, sadly wasn't the cause of the knocking. i tried using a medical stethoscope but the motor died(probally fuel related, i only put about a gallon in it) in the middle of poking around, but the noise was constant over the valve cover... ran a compression test:
1: 140
2: 140
3: 130
4: 135
that chilton(not cymler like i thought earlier) is pretty useless when it comes to specs other than torque specs. i assume they are all within spec of each other but these numbers are higher then what i've seen other people posting, just healthy or carbon build up?