What purpose does the dam holding all that oil do? The dam is below the bearing and pivot shaft so no help there. It must keep the vacuum pump valves lubricated??

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1993 W124 300D 2.5L Turbo, OM602.962
2000 Chevrolet Cavalier, 2.4L DOHC
2002 Ford Explorer, 4.0L SOHC
2005 Toyota Prius, 1.5L

http://www.fuelly.com/sig-us/40601.png

Catch ball bearings? Wait, you just nixed that. Anyways, the old gasket doesn't have it.

its definitely an oil reservoir

i would bet money that the exhaust splatters oil everywhere during operation.

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that is pretty fun though...

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