Engine Craftsman 917, "eats" fuel pumps. Is that a head gasket problem?

I have this B&S DOHC 18.5 hp on a Craftsman DYT 4000. It's "eating" fuel pumps. I replace them and they're gone, sometimes in 2 laps around the yard. I read on another forum that a bad head gasket could do this, because it leaks into the crankcase, which over-pressurizes the crankcase, thereby over-pressurizing the pulse tube, which pops the diaphragm in the fuel pump. Sounds plausible to me, but thought I'd run it by some others before I tear into it. Could anything else be killing these fuel pumps so quickly? BTW, it runs fine, but has backfired once. Doesn't seem to smoke or burn oil. Oil level is good.