I don't work on small blocks often but I do have some bent and cut off wrenches that If I recall correctly were for in car installs of headers on SB Chevy's. Probably "Clarance" issues at the rear of some installs. I recall cutting. grinding and bending wrenches before good stuff like this come out.
Having an even thicker flange might make this issue mute or exacerbate it, I'm not sure but I have kept those wrenched for 25 years so they must have been useful at some time.
The only thing I work on these days are Datsun engines.