Clattering noise like a horse galloping

I rechecked the engine oil again an there is now no sign of yellow on oil dipstick. There is no light on as in service engine, it over heating, or rpm guage doesn't state its over ideling at all. I took it to northwest tire an they said that it was the water pump making that noise, I then took it for a second opinion an that shop told me its coming from the engine, the third shop muffler man put it on a hoist an listened really close an they then told me that it needs a timing chain. Would the timing chain cause the engine to have a lifter noise, or the water pump.