Why did the engineers use 1/2" spacers to lower the K frame on Hemi Darts?

To fit the thing under the hood & gain clearance for valve covers & headers.
I thought it was actually 1".
The spacers then created some handling issues...covered in some stories I've read from the guys who worked on them.

They used 1/2” flat bar stock , sheered off and punched the holes.
It did cause a handling issue (bump steer) so they bent the arm on the lower ball joint to correct it, once they figured it fixed the problem, then sent out specially made lower ball joints to the car owners.

I thought they were 1/4" (but it's been a long time). Some of the books would tell. The way I remember it was for carb to hood clearance.

Thanks