Vacuum pump...was classic lifter noise

[Ed Armstrong <earmstrong@CSC.NOAA.GOV>]

Hello all,

        First I want to thank Phil, Eric and a few others for pointing out
what I thought was lifter noise could have been and turned out to be noise
from the vacuum pump !! I have ended up changing the lifters for nothing but
perhaps this is not such a bad thing on the engine with 142 k miles (I'm
only out $90 for parts).

        Anyway, I removed the actuator rod from the vacuum pump that bolts
to the block and my "lifter noise" disappeared!! My question is how safe is
it do drive around like this considering this pump provides some vacuum for
the brake booster. I notice no change in brake pressure or feel right now
but am kind of worried for the future. Is there any permanent fix to the
vacuum pump noise short of removing the actuator? What actually causes this
noise anyway? 

Thanks again to all who provided info on this!!
  	- ed

~~~~~~~~~~~
Edward M. Armstrong     	  	email: earmstrong@csc.noaa.gov
Coastal Remote Sensing  		phone: 803 974-6265
TPMC/NOAA Coastal Services Center	fax:   803 974-6224
2234 S. Hobson Ave.
Charleston, SC 29407