For what it's worth, the factory 1973 service manual calls for .0005" to .002" with a desired number of .010"
Depending on your goals I'm not sure I'd be too worried about it.
How much compression and cam is this thing getting, and with what heads/intake?
Yea, I have a 1971 service manual and a couple of engine books, so according to them I am on the looser end of the factory accepted clearance, although plastigauge obviously still has a margin of error.
But im good with it now after double checking them again. Its a .030" over stock bottom end build with factory replacement pistons a mile down in the hole. Getting a street/strip flat tappet, speedmaster aluminum heads, and will have 8.5:1 compression....However, I have opened up the ring gaps as I wouldn't mind either throwing a supercharger on it or a cheater kit in the near future, and that is what I am thinking about right now even though that will be a ways off until it happens, otherwise I wouldn't have too much worry about it.
As long as I let it warm up completely before I beat on it, I am hoping for it to be okay
