All my sleeves are between. 002, and .003 above the deck too. My stuff grows from zero lash to around .025 to .03 if it gets stupid hot. I set up at zero lash cold most times.

As for sealing, i use copper coat on everything. Cometics are amazing, and have worked on almost everything without a single leak. I'm growing ever more fond of the sce ics titan copper. They have a stainless ring sandwiched in the copper around the bores like if the block were o ringed, and printed sealing material around the water. Im sure it's not quite as good as traditional wire o rings, but close enough for me. I've been abusing a set for a while now. Melting pistons, detonation, reusing, and they keep going. I like the heat transfer of copper, but have never liked the re torque, water leaks and being stuck with wire in the sleeves. Im building a pretty mean blown motor ( mean for a cast water block and head) so I'll see if they'll take some real pressure.