I don't understand why everyone gets so hung up on side clearance. Too little is a concern. I doubt within reason there is such a thing as too much.

I think the oil coming out of the outside of the 2 rods under pressure hits the radius of the journal and tries to push the rods together while the oil on the inside tries to push them apart effectively holding them in a stable position. Assuming everything that is supposed to be round is round and not tapered, there really isn't much reason for them to move at all much less bang into each other.

Kevin