If Concorde engineers, 50 years ago, could design a “ shortening” main gear to enable retraction into the available space, it seems strange that Boeing did not leave the engines in the original location and incorporate a longer strut on the original Max design.
I am fairly sure Safran could have solved the issue.
Its a long time since I flew 737 but I hear, from colleagues who flew the 800, the risk of tailstrikes on the Max, which might have been eliminated with longer gear was “ fixed” by increasing V ref to lead to a lower body angle at touchdown. Sounds strange as higher V ref equals longer landing distance etc, higher brake wear etc etc.
Anyone in the know ?