[Desoto291Hemi]

Those gears look to be in excellent condition,,,,I would use them .
The housing opening will work great,,,,you opened it a fair amount,,,,it should aid the flow .
The cover plate will be fine,,,,,,it doesn’t have to be perfect,,,,,,,but get it as good as you can .
Yes,,,,,the gears will be above the surface of the pump body by a hair,,,,,the gasket will make them clear the cover plate .
Check the end clearance,,,,,driven gear to housing end,,,,,I can’t remember,,,,,but I think the book calls for about 8 or there about ,,,,,mine had 20 on the end .
I actually tightened mine up by resetting the gear onto the shaft in a press .
After 70 years,,,,the gear had moved somewhat .
If you need me to ,,,I can look up these specs in the Motors Manual,,,,,,it has everything in it .

Tommy