Using plastigauge to check 440 mains showed .001 on #1, #3, #4, somewhat less on #2 and #5. Yes, I painstakingly cleaned the journals with acetone and read the english side of the plastigauge paper. Hauled the block/crank to the machine shop. They mic'd the crank journals, transferred the measurement to a dial bore gauge and measured between 2.4-2.6 thousandths clearance on all the mains. All is good.

Now I have to tackle the rod bearing clearance and am leery of using plastigauge, plus I understand torquing the rod bolts can distort the plastigauge readings. Are there any alternatives short of buying an expensive dial bore gauge?