What is considered the minimum safe distance between the counterweights on a 440 crank and a 400 block? I'm camphering the counterweight edges (instead of cutting them down on a lathe), and radiusing the bottoms of the cylinders.

I'd like to see at least.060 clearance, and don't forget to factor in the thrust of the crank.

Okay, I've clearanced the crank (and a little in the block) but haven't yet turned down the mains (goes to the shop in a few days). However, sitting the crank directly in the saddles without any bearing shells, it spins pretty freely.

My question is where to check clearance? I can't really see the near contact points with the crank in. I can get feeler guages in there, but I'm not really sure what it's measuring. Should I put some clay on the saddle sides and lay the crank and then measure? Ideas?

I measured my bare bores and came up with 2.812" (measured several times). Could be a fluke, but anyway, half of that (the radius) is 1.406". The radius of the 440 crank (unturned) is 1.375" The difference is .031", so you can center the 440 in the bare 400 saddles if you put some material (say some kind of flexiable but hard plastic) of .031" thickness between the crank and saddle. Then the crank/block can be clearanced before the mains are turned.

What is a good,but cheap, scale to weight the different parts on?