Strange rattling - please help me!

[John Gottstein <gottstein@erols.com>]

Hi,
  I'm going crazy because of this rattling sound that suddenly started coming
from my 1500 engine.  It is a loud metallic hollow rattling that comes from the
area of the alternator.   During idle the rattling is sporadic, but when I hit
the gas, the sound is constant, and intensifies with more gas going to it.  I
tightened the two front belts, but that didn't help it.

Does anyone have a suggestion for what it might be?   Mike Graziano suggested it
might be the water pump.  Would a water pump on the fritz make a rattling noise?

Thanks a lot,

John Gottstein
1975 Midget