You don't know the age, can you at least find the model number on it?
Most all Whirlpools are pretty much the same as far as the internal workings go, with only two exceptions. It could be a very old Whirlpool belt drive (yuck), or a kind of old to new Whirlpool direct drive (yeah).
the only common noise problem that could be shared between these two possible types is maybe a bra wire or something stuck between the basket and the internal tub.
Other than that, knowing at least which type you have is going to be needed to tell you anything further. If it does turn out to be an old Whirlpool belt drive I'd just default right to telling you time for a new washer, not even worth tryng to or paying anyone to change a belt on one of these, its just too old.
If its a semi newer to new direct drive could also be something in the pump, could be the coupling, could be in the clutch and brake assembly amybe even in a worse but not common case a problem in the transmission itself. Usually its something simple though like a bra wire, pump or coupling problem. | 
