There is a loud 'clacking' sound coming from the front of my engine. I think its coming from near the top. It's not periodic or rhythmic like a lifter or connecting rod. It happens at idle (maybe off idle, but I haven't listened for it while driving because it's muffled with the hood closed). It's very loud and sharp, like someone striking the engine with a hammer.

Anyone have a guess what it might be?

Thanks,

Jeff.

There's a good chance it's a noisy VANOS unit. It's pretty common on these motors, especially with age and more often seen in 5spd cars that have been driven hard.

To check, pop the hood and place your hand over the lump at the front of the valve cover (on the intake side, this houses the VANOS unit). With your other hand, rev the engine to ~4000rpm and let it come down to idle. Coming down to idle, a vibration at the VANOS unit and an audible "box of marbles" is indicative of a VANOS unit on its way out.

i have heard that noise in my hood to i think it is comming from the cruize control unit thats where i think my noise is comming from, loud banging and i can feel it in the pedals, when i hit the brakes it stops, you the same or no.
chris