Very close. Can it work? Yes. Of coarse we are only talking about blocks only being the same and not inturnals. You will have to mix and match the camshaft, lifters, pushrods, pistons etc. and buy some specialty parts.
Some changes in the later 2nd gen blocks with the oil drains of the blocks. Some 97-98 and newer blocks have a 2nd turbo drain hole in the lower block (storm block). Some slight differences in castings from different countrys (England, Brazil, Mexico and USA). The worse of all is the dreaded #53 block (Thin casting) prone to cracking.