Rock damage

I was driving out in the desert going up a hill and I ran into a rock on the right side that I got high centered on. I was able to get off of it by wedging a rock behind my front wheel and backing out the same way I went over it. When I was driving back home I accelerate and hear a metallic grinding/ticking noise at about 2.2-3k RPM that increases in pulse with RPM (like a fan is hitting somthing, but we have electric fans and the noise is somewhat rpm related). This sound does not occur in neutral (while moving or while stopped). I got home and jacked the car up to look at the damage. All I could see was that my heat shields were damaged on my exhaust on the right side, and my oil pan had a scratch on it, but was not leaking. I could see nothing but surface damage. The heat shields seem to be tight and not loose, just dinged up.

Is there anything under the car close to the surface that would account for this noise on acceleration?

If pictures would be helpful I’ll try to get some after I get home from work tomorrow.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

[SilverSpear]

Go under your car and check it out. It should be the exhaust heat cover on the level of the transmission

[dannmarr]

I once hit a curb and cracked my flexplate, it sounded similar to your description.

What is a flexplate? and where is it? and how serious is it if it is cracked?

and what about the exahust heat cover? Already said it was damaged. I plan on taking them off tonight and seeing what happens.

[Suby Fan]

yes a flex plate is very serious.... its between the engine and transmission and holds the teeth that the starter use