I don't remember the thread, I'd have to search for it, which I will let you do on your own.

I don't need the pics, I've seen all this stuff before.

Yes, the 74-79 has a larger hole in the body for the larger bearing of the later suspension. So, yea you can put the smaller 71-73 early bearing in the larger hole of the later body and have a gap, but is that safe. Consquently, it is also true that the larger later bearing will not fit the smaller hole of the early body.