ok so im doing a timing belt job now. im at the point where im puttng the belt on the splined pulley (where the crank pulley goes).. and of course i have to line it up at TDC with the oil pump.

everytime i go back and forth to perfect it, i hear some clanging noise like the con. rods are loose. its weird, but i think its normal because each time i move my ratchet its an "all of a sudden" move.

should i rip the oil pan off and make sure everything is tight? it just sounds like there is play in the bottom end.

car has about 132,XXX miles stock (as far as i know) bottom and top end

 

I'd most definitely be inspecting the bottom end before doing anything else! It may save you money in the long run.