1987 Ram 50 Replace, Rebuild, Restore...AKA the "pantydropper"

[BradMph]

RagRagTime is great help around here, I'm sure he will appreciate that very much.

That sound is the knox, your timing is probably off or raise your octane and see if that fixes it. The knocking sound is explosions above the piston before it reaches it correct position to fire the fuel n the cylinder.
Your starting problem is probably connected to the knocking issue. Possibly if you have to hit the gas a bunch to get it started it may be your accelerator pump possibly or fuel vapor locking from fuel boiling in the fuel line.. Though I think the 2 items you have are of one. You don't want engine knocking and it will increase on hills. It can crack a piston if left to keep doing it.

Your thieves are close by, closer then you think. Keep that in mind. A thief is just as bad a rapist and should pay like one. They live off other peoples hard work and pinch it off for drugs most the time. The world is not a safe place for possessions if someone sees it and wants it.