Oil pump gear

[royxxx]

Am I right in thinking that if the oil pump gear is not engaged properly, the crankcase cover won't fit on?

 

[XSLeo]

Correct. If you rock the cover up and down at the front as you install it, the gears will line up. If not and you just screw it on the pump gear can break, bend the tach drive shaft and the pump drive shaft.