Ok, '91 22re 4WD with 163K miles

I get a rattling noise that has progressively gotten louder over the last few months. Initially it could only be heard while at full throttle, but now you can hear it at any speed or rpm. This happened to me about 4 years ago and turned out to be the water pump going out as it was leaking and the shaft was broken causing the fan to wobble, so I replaced it with an non OEM pump.

Thinking that the pump was the issue again I began to disassemble everything to remove the pump. Here is the catch: the pump spins smoothly and freely and there is no play or wobble in the pump shaft. Maybe not the water pump? Or could it be:
1. Timing chain slapping
2. Another pulley going out
3. Rod bearings

I am pretty much at a loss for what it could be, but I don't want to risk putting everything back together and continue driving the truck as it is my daily driver (only vehicle) that I put 60 miles on a day.

One more issue, I have been unable to remove the power steering pulley, even with my two arm pulley remover. It just won't budge and I do not want to risk bending the pulley. Any ideas??