Back when this saga began, I think a lot of us got concerned about how that rod bolt got broken. I've been at this business for over 50 years and the only broken rod bolts I've ever seen were seriously overtorqued. Then you decided to swap for ARP bolts without getting a machine shop to check the rods for diameter and out-of round, mistake #2. Your unorthodox pressing procedure is very likely to create a distorted rod bore. Now you're not sure if the bearings have the right clearance, and your mechanic buddy has never heard of a standard procedure that's been used for over half a century by engine builders all over the world.
If you're willing to gamble on things as important as connecting rod bearing clearance, come play poker with me. I'll bet you'll draw to an inside straight, too!
Good luck!
Jerry
