A pan on a B engine

[John Stone]

Just came up with a B engine. I rebuilt it about 5 years ago and ended buying it from the estate auction.

Now the question: Is it possible to use smaller nuts (5/8 rather than 21/32 or 11/16) on the rods to clear the sides of an A pan. The relief on the B pan isn't much. I have been measuring the gain in clearance and believe using the smaller nuts I get about .1" versus the 11/16.

I know there is mods required where the pan meets the rear main cap.