I think I figured it out. I took my caliper to the junk yard. Most factory SBC intake manifold distributor holes are about 1 3/8" or 1.375" diameter. Most factory SBC HEI distributors are 1 1/4" or 1.250" diameter. The distributor is centered / aligned by the block for the camshaft / distributor gear.
Maybe the factory engineers figured an intakes could be assembled to the engine with some large variations (front / back / left / right) because the intake mounting bolt holes are larger than 3/8" diameter. I feel so lucky to have found an intake with a distributor hole 1/8" or 0.125" larger diameter than most factory intakes.

That's not what I would call quality control?
dave w