In a word, yes..
It seems that any disturbance of the timing cover takes place, a hardened older seal will make itself known (like my poor old Zaffy just did), as one of the bolts is common to the timing cover and water pump.
If the head's off but the block is still in the car, should be easy enough as you will already have your exhaust manifold out of the way, 4 x 13mm headed bolts hold the pump in, 2 on the front, 2 on the back, the whole unit will then then withdraw through the aperture (after removing the link pipe of course). I was going to do a How To on this, but having many children and the other half who is picture mad, the camera was out of bounds!