Yes, that is what I've seen on a few small-blocks, perhaps Chevy's too. No concerns with my 383 Big-Block because they don't route coolant thru the intake manifold. That makes it easy for rodders to test various BB intakes on a dyno, just leaving the metal valley-pan gasket in place. I wonder if the cross-over in the intake manifold and coolant passages within the timing cover are what define "small block", as it allows the overall engine to be shorter. In the slant-six, and I recall Chevy straight-six too, they recessed the water pump into the side of the block to keep the engine shorter to barely squeeze it into the engine bay. My 1964 slant doesn't even have room to fit a clutch-fan.
