[Mark Yacavone]

First reply..Surely not the last LOL

With the style of uppers you have, you just about have to have the right spacing on the housing. You did miss an opportunity to make or buy adjustable heim end uppers.
Yes, you can raise the uppers on the housing. Moser's 12 bolt Chevelle rears are built that way.
I'm thinking you might have joined together two dissimilar metals on the housing though.
Not certified, but I've run a few beads in my life, so far. Might check that.