Thrust Alignment Check

[half-cocked]

OK I searched and I found plenty of posts but none answered my question. I aligned the thrust cap by have caps 1-2 4-5 torqued down to spec and #3 just seated and pryed forword on the flywheel flanged and tapped the crank snout with a rubber hammer and then torqued it down. Endplay on the flywheel side measured out to .005", well within a 6Bolt spec and I am using stock main bolts. Is there any other way to check to make sure the thrust alingment is ok, or am I missing something. What I posted is what I did so if I am missing something please let me know before I to far ahead.

 

[nukefission]

My method is a little different. I torque all of the caps down then loosen them again. I then tighten them hand tight or snug with a rachet and whack/pry the crank in both directions with a fair amount of force. Once I'm satisfied I torque everything to spec.

Just my opinion but I don't think tapping the crank with a rubber mallet is enough.

 

[half-cocked]

I guess tapping was the wrong word, if it were a real hammer I would maul the crank snout the way I'm hitting it. But I have done this three times and I get the same result each time. It clearances out at .0005" al the way around and on one side it comes out at .0006". I would say its less then .0001" of difference but I would think that indicates a misaligned cap. I guess my question should read like, does the alignment have to be absolutly no doubt perfect, or is there a little leeway as long as it isnt too bad. I would think a small margin of error is ok because suring the break-in process the thrust bearing would seat itself by wearing to a true surface as long as it didn't go too deep to pass the soft metal and into the hard metal of the bearing. I could be way off though.