Is there anyway to tell if the pins have been fixed with out pulling stuff apart?
Is the knocking sound on the lift pump something that can cause major problems?

 

unless the jig has been used, you really cant tell till you take the cover off.

The lift pump tick is a weak spring in there. The plunger then "floats" not following the cam lobe back every revolution. It eventually may not start and leave you walking home.

 

the only way i could think of telling (and it's not 100% at all) is if the cover has rtv sealer sticking out. Thats not really a good enough judge either, it's best to just get the kit and take care of it anyway, u get a new crankshaft seal to replace so it's worth doing it.