I just took a look at my Stage V heads from FHO. They were purchased a few years ago. No small pockmarks like those. I did have some scuffing on some of the machined surfaces, but just superficial. What you have there almost looks like some porosity in the castings, not what one would expect from Banning. I think I would get in touch with him. He will probably tell you the pockmarks are no worry. As for the manifold fitment, I think there is some possibility that block has been milled? In any case contact FHO.