first off thanks everyone so much - the first rattle was the heat shield on the cat and the second noise coming from the motor was the a/c compressor clutch - i welded the heat shield back on and used a smaller belt to bypass the ac pulley altogether - the vx is now quiet as a churchmouse - i will now replace the compressor and clutch - i can't believe how much better the vx runs when the ac is not connected - if it wasnt about to be summer in the midwest i would just leave it off for good - and thanks again rellow vx brethren