Can i leave off the plastic timing cover?

[Merz]

My center timing belt cover has a hole cut in it by a failing crank pulley. It also seems to be bent or something, so much that the cover has sort of protruded forward and is somewhat covering the crank pulley to the point that i cannot install an ac belt on the crank pulley. Im planning on replacing the timing belt and crank/cam seals soon, and was wondering if it would hurt anything if i left the center cover off? The side pieces are in good condition and will be reinstalled. Would anyone advise against this? A new center cover with the gaskets is around $90 at subaruparts.com.

I also have a strange feeling that if i install a new cover, The crank pulley will rub on it and eat a hole in it. Is it possible that my aftermaket pulley sits back further than the oem one? its a Perrin pulley. I know others on here have used the same pulley. Has anyone had problems with them?


Evan