In the 70's, Andre would stand on stacked phone books and other assorted props during interviews. If you look closely at some of the pictures during those days, he appears to be well ove 8ft tall, its actually pretty ridiculous.
Vince McMahon Sr blew a gasket one time because Wilt Chamberlain took a photo with Andre, and was noticably severla inches taller. McMahon feared the picture would get into magazines and kill Andre's gimmick.