Do all the bolts on a small block timing cover go into the water jacket? I just put mine back together and forgot sealer on the right side middle bolt. (The one that's blocked by the water pump of course) I'm thinking I'll have to pull the WP back off and put sealer on that bolt yes?

Some are wet and some are not, pull the suspected bolt out and see Make sure and DON"T use a bolt that is to long on the upper drivers side location, it will contact the cylinder wall and cause problems

That's the thing, I got it all together and painted. I don't want to have to pull the WP and replace the gasket, and paint it again if I don't have to. Does anyone have a bare block they could check for me? I'd appreciate it.

correct,that bolt is wet AND captured behind the WP

the same spot on driver side is wet also.

and the 4 long bolts are wet.

make sure the 2 middle t-cover bolts are not to long or the will hit a cyl wall and bottom out before torque spec is reached to seal gasket...or crack a cyl wall DAMHIK!

those middle bolt are good to fully drain a SB before tear down or rad flush.

I was afraid of that. Thanks for confirming it.

After the second time of playing the guessing game I decided for future reference to color code the bolt heads with a paint pen. Yellow goes into oil, blue into water. Also drew a diagram and keep it stuck to the inside cover of the fsm with the UHL noted and oil vs water. Saved me alot of frusteration many times.

I ran one thru a cylinder.My kid was supposed to have them in order.Water in the rad and I heard it in the pan.Luckily I had a better long block than was in his truck.Rocky