Reality check: A body rear ends

Were some of them actually a 8"?

Yes . A friend does 302 Pinto swaps. The 2.8 v6 automatic is a 8 " , 3;42 gear ratio. ( Pinto/ most likely Bobcat) Open the drivers door, find the DSO tag. A listing for rear ends, ( gear ratio ,wise) is listed by letter. Seen 3 of the 2.8 automatics be 3.42 gears, only looked three times.