Are the shims overlapping the ends of the bearing shells, like they're supposed to do? What does the bearing inside diameter measure with the cap torqued down- - - -without the crankshaft in place? That dimension, compared to the crankshaft journal diameter, is what will tell you what the actual clearance really is. Any other method of measuring clearance, including Plastigauge, is just an educated guess. Has the crankshaft been reground recently?
Jerry
