Although I would not recomend it, you can get some small washers at the hardware store to use as spacers. It should cost about 50 cents for spacer washers. Be carefull tightening the timing cover nuts. The timing cover is made of plastic that breaks easy.
I would never remove my timing belt cover because the timing belt cover keeps dust and dirt out. If your car only lasts 100,000 miles removing the timing belt cover will not matter but if it lasts 200,000 miles the dust and dirt will cause problems.
