(I'll still replace it tomorrow night). The real culprit (as I'm sure you already knew 
) was the timing belt tensioner bearing. Fortunately, I'd already had this suspicion myself 
and ordered a new tensioner along with the water pump. With a little persuasion from my bearing puller it came off with relative ease 
(on the bench not the block). Now I am delayed while I await a new timing belt, so I guess I'll get the rear axle seals started in the next day or so.Frankly I'm surprised I made the trip from Chicago to KC with the bearing as far gone as it was (well that and the injector fuel line leak that did not go up in flames)
. I guess I've used up much of my good karma in the last few weeks.I've also got a used wheel hub on the way and bearings and seals, so I'll repack the front hubs and get a spare assembled for the road-trip kit.
Still hoping to make MOFLO in Osage Beach, MO on the 10th. Looking forward to meeting up with more of the "locals".
- Jim
