So after all these years the air pump is making sounds like a crashing jet plane.

My question --- is how important is this thing and can I unbelt it until I find one at a junkyard?

The only thing it is connected to is an AC unit that died long ago. The manual says do not attempt to repair or lubricate.

It's purpose as I understand it is to burn off any excess gas in the exhast but I'm wondering if this is just for pollution control ( which The Brick is no longer subject to due to age) or rather a protection from gas build-up farther down the line in the exhaust system and possibly producing backfires or blown mufflers (that actually happened many years ago and I still don't know why)

Anyway, all thoughts on this would be appreciated.

Gregg