uh-oh engine noise

[Jpdstudio <Jpdstudio@aol.com>]

I've got an 83 5kt with 175k miles. Everything seems perfect, however there is
an engine noise I'd like to ignore.  There is a ringing/howling sound from the
front of the engine at 1200 rpm, no lower no higher.  It is kinda like that
sound of a drill press going through metal.   A sound a well engine doesn't
make.  Common sense tells me rings or some other expensive problem. Has
anybody else heard this spine chilling howl?  Thanks

Jeff Petersen