I actually have a question. I have your gears sitting in my pile of parts for my build. Would you recommend using the stock pump/gears to break the engine in just to prevent that from happening to a brand new $300 gear set? Then change the gears after the first oil change or so? I'm not going boosted yet (as I've run out of cash) so I'll just be running my built motor N/a for a season or 2 until I can go turbo. And any install instructions?
Not a bad idea, it is certainly one way to make sure that a new engine doesnt shed material and damage a new pump and as you have menetioned, it can happen to any gear - billet or not.