I see. I think it was uberwasser who mentioned checking his pump every year. It seems like a lot of work and possible risk just to pull it every year, especially with having to replace the gasket each time.

I suppose if I'm going to pull it, I might as well replace it at least initially knowing that I'm still on my 30+ year old pump.

Are there timing marks for the engine so you know you are at TDC? I've marked TDC by the valve springs, but you have to pull the valve cover to see them.

On another thread, I had heard the argument that the vacuum pump was aluminum and these issues could be prevented if the parts were re-machined into steel. Did that ever go anywhere?

Dkr.