Wondering if I NEED to get a different timing chain cover mine has some pitting behind the water pump. I personally don't think it will bother anything unless it breaks down some more but I think the pitting came about because someone put some junk in the radiator to try an fix a leak they had

 

Mine was pitted up pretty good around where the ports pass thru the cover, to the block. I just used some RTV with the gasket, and it seal up nice. So long as there is SOME surface to seal, should be ok. That said, you can pic up new ones for under 100 bucks off ebay......

 

The pitting isn't on the mating surface between the cover an block or where the gasket goes for the pump. It is on the outside of the cover where the water pump blades "meet" the cover. It's like the blades broke on the pump before an spun around a little bit or someone put some sand to maybe stop a leak once before an it grinded up the cover.

 

If it isn't too thin, I would just use it.

 

Can you post a pic? The water pump needs a small amount of room behind it but to much will affect how it performs.