How bad is it?

Moper, pins at the end of the block valley? Not quite sure what you mean. The surface where the cork gasket would go is completely flat. I am definitely going to use water only tonight when I fire it up. Dukeboy 318- I did get a new gasket. The way I worded that sentence was incorrect, sorry. Oh and Inkjunkie, I didn't even know that there was a cooling system pressure tester. I don't have access to one now but I have a feeling that would come in handy later on in life.