Well it took me all of an hour and a half to do it, but it's done. Smog pump has been removed and put aside for safekeeping along with 2 bolts and a rubber hose clamp. I left the rubber hose connected to the switchover valve and found that a plastic pop bottle cap screws right on the end nice and tight. I put a cable tie around its base as well in case it swells or cracks from the manifold heat. The vacuum nipple and the vacuum line have been sealed off with vacuum caps that I had lying around.

I had purchased a fan bearing bracket because I originally thought it was the culprit, which as we all know now it wasn't. My fan bearing bracket was actually fine, and I was a little bummed out because I was positive that the smog pump wasn't grinding. But anyway, since I was in there already, I went ahead and removed the bracket and installed the newly purchased part. So I shouldn't have problems for a long time to come. Incidentally, I put my used bearing bracket up for sale in the parts forum for $35, if anybody wants it. It's not the original bracket, as the previous owner had it replaced at some point.

The 93 x .85 belt fit perfectly, and I also took the time to properly tighten my tensioner and get rid of an annoying problem where the belt would occasionally slip under heavy throttle and cut out the A/C, requiring an engine restart. So all is well, and my idle is nice and silent now. There'll be no more embarassing looks in the parking lot at work.

One interesting thing I'd like to point out - I put my finger over the smog pump vacuum line after starting the car up, and I can verify at least on my car it seems that there is only vacuum on that line for about 1 to 1.5 minutes when the car is first started, and only when there is low or no temp reading on the temp gauge. When the car is hot, I believe the smog pump never comes on. So it doesn't really appear to be essential to passing the emissions test with a hot engine.

Thanks to all for their help here, you saved me roughly $450 to $1250!!!

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08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280