1969 Dart Street/Strip (Re)Build

I talked to the builder this morning and felt confident that the bottom end isn't coming apart. He didn't think that the thrust bearing got taken out either since if either of those events happened that the pleats in the filter would have a significant amount of shavings in all of them. I literally have only seen 2 or 3 shavings but I haven't cut it completely and lay it out. He's gonna come over next week and either listen to it or take the car then. The head gaskets are leaking and the rear main is leaking so he's gotta fix that anyway. He wants to get it on the lift and fix those issues and figure out what could be the knocking/rattling noise. Maybe it isn't as bad as what it seems.