(i will never believe side clearance doesn't effect pressure. it's a hole, it's a leak!)
You may believe it or not, but the laws of physics don't change for your beliefs
You do realize that the oil "leaking" from those gaping side-clearances had to come from the oil passage in the journal, pass through the
much smaller bearing clearance,
then exit via the side clearance? It's a series circuit and the vast majority of the resistance (to fluid flow, just as with electricity) comes from the most restrictive part which is the bearing clearance...
