I have never run into the front of the block that out of shape....
Make sure the cover sits flush against the block, if it does then your good nothing is out of shape.
I have seen the dowels and cover holes get crudy and prevent it from sliding on all the way. Use a small about of RTV on the cover, and put a small amount around the coolant passages on the block before you put the gasket on. Make sure your water pump has the correct backing plate (I just received a pump that had a standard rotation plate on it and this causes issues with the gasket), there should be a gasket between the pump and backing plaate, make sure you are using the proper gasket for the timing cover, most kits give you 3 different options only one is correct.