I thought I had / have a Rod Cap side clearance issue.

Removing all Rod Cap's - cleaned, re-lubed, re-installed.
Completed 5/6 prior to turning the crank.
# 1 cylinder Rod Cap had no side movement after re-install -
I didn't try to force. No idea what side clearance it had before removal.

Saw one other Rod Cap the same way with Piston at dead bottom of stroke ( at a later time ).

After manually pumping Oil with a bit a pressure into the Crank and lower
oil system, this first particular Rod moved side to side easily and had side clearance.
Haven't check second one yet, ( I know it did have side movement at a earlier time )
Maybe the Assembly Lube or Re-install issue.

I think the Assembly Lube was making the first one stick in position because adding oil and oil pressure manually, changed things !

When measuring Rod Cap side clearance is the Piston to be any particular
position or does it matter ?

Any insights to this scenerio.

 

On a '98 Blazer the rod side clearance is 0.006 - 0.017 inch.