OK I've got clear direction now, thanks Bob and Ed. Regarding the cover plate, I ended up scoring an original with no pits, so I'm all set there. I do have an NOS part in an unopened clear package and the plate is incorrect zinc dichromate gold as you mentioned, and won't be using that.
FYI Before I would bother stripping the plating off the NOS one as mentioned you could it would be best to verify the NOS one is shaped like the assemblyline one at the grease plug is inserted area.