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Dictionaries unanimously describe 訳 as an 頭高型 word: わけ{HL}

However, oftentimes when 訳 immediately follows a downstep-type verb, I don't
hear any drop at all. That is to say, phrases like なるわけ sound like なるわけ{HLLL}
to me. On the other hand, when following a flat-type verb, I think I generally
hear it: 寝るわけ = ねるわけ{LHHL}

This is quite reminiscient to me of what happens to the pitch of こと when it
follows a downstep-type verb, namely it "loses" its own pitch accent pattern
and just stays low (more
[here](https://japanese.stackexchange.com/questions/66619/pitch-accent-of-
nominalizers)).

Is my perception correct? Are なるわけ{HLLL} and ねるわけ{LHHL} the only permissible
pitch accent patterns in Standard Japanese?
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pitch-accent
Pitch accent of 訳(わけ) when immediately following a verb
Yes, your observation is correct. As in the case of こと, わけ is also a 形式名詞
(formal noun), which is used as an abstract function word in the weak form
that depends on the accent of the previous word it attaches to. When the main
word is already accented, わけ then receives no more accent.

> 私が先生に[なるわけが]{HLLLL}ない。  
>  私が電車で[寝るわけが]{LHHLL}ない。

But of course, when わけ is a full word that retains its meaning, it is
accentuated in its own right.

> 私が大統領に[なる]{HL}[わけ]{HL} _the reason why I will be a president_
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