Hey kaalsb,

Glad you got your issue figured out. 

I replaced the fuel pump on my 22R twice in about 7 years.  I believe that some of the aftermarket, non-OEM fuel pumps are not as good as the factory stock.   It seems the ethanol-additive fuel is harder on the rubber diaphram inside the pump.  The good news is it's a low cost replacement.  The phenolic (I think it was from factory?  but aftermarket ones are other material) block is a spacer to position the pump arm on the cam, but it is interesting that it also acts as an insulator. 

Gnarls.