I pulled all the covers off of the timing belt to change it out and realized that the back cover behind the cam gears seems warped or something because it rests against the cam gears instead of hugging to the head. There is also plastic that looks scraped away from rubbing on the cam gears. Do I need to buy a new back cover or is there something that I can do to it to keep it off the cam gears?

 

I had the same issue - one day I heard this awful noise coming from the motor and it was the plastic behind the cam gears pressed up against the gears. Dunno how the heck that happened. Anyway, I ended up just replacing the plastic cover - replaced the timing belt while I was at it too. I think the cover was around $20. Also took a look and replaced my cam seals too.

 

^ what that guy said, might as well do it all while you're in there. cam seals. timing belt water pump oil pump. ect.