Looks like it will be fine set the gears in and see if the protrude from the surface, or at a minium sit dead level ,if so then yes its serviceable, if they sit below the surface chunk it
Check gear setup. You will probably be fine. A booster plate wont hurt. Big question is why do you have it off and what are you looking for in there. Are you having a low oil pressure issue? Im thinking that its not in the oil pump.
In hindsight I realized the vague nature of my original post would probably lead to varied answers, so here’s a better explanation: I’m currently compiling parts to build my 350, which will be built well, and will be a strong engine. I need to get another timing cover since the oil pump and water pump areas of mine are trash, and the cover shown in the picture above is an actual GM part I’ve seen for sale, so I’m curious whether it’s worth messing with or not. I’m definitely partial to having the GM cover as opposed to an aftermarket piece (honestly, mostly for aesthetics, but for quality too), but I also don’t want to spend money on a part that may be too worn out.
Looks like that cover has a high volume plate on it. It's hard to tell, but are the pump cavity walls scoured up? The clearance between the gears and the timing cover is more critical than the end play (because you can correct and adjust the end play, but you can't tighten the gear clearances and is the primary cause for poor oil pressure from the pump). The TA timing cover is better than any factory or other aftermarket timing cover; superior machining and tighter tolerances. You might find a decent factory or alternate aftermarket cover, but it won't be better.
Just a thought.... If it has a high volume gear plate on it, wouldn't you be able to take a couple or a few thousands off the plate to make the h.v. (wider) gear set stick above the housing? Then you can shim end plate clearance as normal. Providing the gear o.d. to cavity wall clearance in cover isn't excessive.
Lots of times that high volume spacer leaves an awful lot of room around the gears. Kinda makes you wonder if it's doing more harm than good. Jim
The kit comes with drill, roll pins, and shim stock to set and match gear o.d. clearance exactly as the cover cavity already is.
Mr Regal, If gears are flush or above cover cavity, and gear o.d. clearance isnt excessive, or you need to sand a bit off high volume spacer plate as I stated above, your cover looks perfect. I wouldn't hesitate to use it.