Yes, it will clear the shaft and if your careful you could weld a thin tube spacer and still utilize the inner cover bolt.
In my opinion it’s almost impossible to weld without distorting the pump shaft features and the pump gear pocket. You will find yourself sending a reamer through the shaft bore to true it up and probably resurfacing the pump cover face. The gear tip to pocket clearance will also most likely grow after welding. Went through this on mine years ago.
AG
Also, one more thing. If you do decide to modify a cover and it’s going on a Stage block, make sure you weld up the lower drivers side corner area so that it provides a sealing surface to mate against the block or you will have a leak.
AG
Also, one more thing. If you do decide to modify a cover and it’s going on a Stage block, make sure you weld up the lower drivers side corner area so that it provides a sealing surface to mate against the block or you will have a leak.
AG
Also, one more thing. If you do decide to modify a cover and it’s going on a Stage block, make sure you weld up the lower drivers side corner area so that it provides a sealing surface to mate against the block or you will have a leak.
AG
With the ones that’s currently on my stage motor I ended up just filling it with JB weld and smoothing it out after it dried which worked out pretty well