And to calm your fears about the water pump, on the 8 bolt design like yours (68 model), there is only one gasket. The divider plate indeed sits inside of the timing cover, and doesn't require a second gasket OR the sleeves that the later (69 and up) 11 bolt designs do with 2 gaskets.
Glad to hear you're getting it fixed!
__________________
Eric Mitten
'74 Bonneville 4dr Sedan (455/TH400/2.93 open)
'72 LeMans GT (455/M-13/3.23 [8.5"] posi)
'71 GTO Hardtop (400/TH400/3.07 12 bolt posi)
‘71 GTO Convertible (455HO/TH400/3.23 posi)
'67 GTO Coupe (455/ST-10/2.93 posi)
Deuteronomy 8:3
