If you've got the reground crank and the rods out on the workbench, it's as lot easier to do a clearance check that way. If the crank is already in the block just check the clearance as you install the pistons with the rings on them. You did get the rods reconditioned, right?
Plastigauge is kind of a SWAG- - - - -better than nothing, but it's only an estimate. When I assemble the 261 our fearless leader is working on right now, I'm going to measure the OD of the crankshaft journals and the ID of the bearings (rods and mains) with a dial bore gauge and whip out my calculator. That's how we did it on the 700+ HP round track engines.
Jerry
