Hey Derek
I took the cover off and it appeared to have imprinted the gasket pretty evenly.
I will remove it again and make sure it is even. I have done this before by laying the sand paper on glass and then moving the mating suface over it until it's all shinny.
Thanks
Dick

PS to all
Head bolts were tight but I turned the cap on the black plastic valve on top over a half turn in thr process of tighting it! It took an hour to get everything "clean." Next step will be to run the engine exposed to try and see the leak visually. Stay tuned!!