I have seen a few drops fall from the head area onto the exhaust manifold after a long trip.

 

Just got off the phone with D&D. Seemed very knowledgeable. He recommended replacing the whole timing cover as opposed to just replacing the gears. He doesn't sell the cover so I don't feel he was trying to use scare tactics to increase his profits. Savannah do you have any opinions in this regard? The extra $450-$500 for the cover Vs. the rebuild kit would almost pay for the cam kit. His cam kit includes the lifters, gears, and chain.

 

There was a range of D2's that had messed up oil pumps, these pretty much all failed by 50,000 miles and took engine with them. So very unlikely you have one of those. IMHO go with the oil pump/front cover gasket/water pump gasket/front crank seal kit, like $112 at AB, price varies elsewhere.

 

"He recommended replacing the whole timing cover as opposed to just replacing the gears."

If I remember correctly the problems were not with the front cover itself, but in how the dowels were drill in the block.

 

You should wait till you actually pull the cover to see if there is actually some wear marks ground into the cover,if there are then replace it, if not just replace the gear set.

 

Oil pump can be cracked and still make some pressure.