last oil change was 2K ago. Pan was pulled the same time we did the top end to change gaskets and rear main seal. Nothing in the pan at that time (Actually I was surprised as it had the stock nylon timing set which we replaced with a dbl roller set at the time).

Engine was very clean inside - no crud/etc.

I guess a $65 high vol pump isn't a bad investment - very easy to change. Just seems odd that a pump would slowly go away like that over a 6 month period of time...