new to the forum but have lurked for awhile, need help

i recently purchased a 96 tacoma xtra 2.7 auto 4x4 with 73k original miles. have done all the routine tune ups. have searched threads for 2 wks looking for a clue to my (possible) issue. i have a (squeak, whine, dry bearing sound, gravel in the rotor) sound coming out the front of my engine. not super loud but noticeable. heard better when standing in front listening through the grill, cant hear it at all when looking down on it. i have disconnected all drive belts to verify origin. can also be heard when taking off the oil filler while running. i have turned wrenchs for years on all sorts of equipment but this one has me puzzled. seems to be mid engine around the timing chain area. there is no chain slap, valve tick or piston slap at all in this motor. going to attach a oil guage this week to verify pressure. maybe a clogged oil journal? not real familiar with this engine, is the chain whirling noise normal? sounds exactly like a dry idler. any input would be great. tried to video but doesnt reproduce accurately.

 

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