cj, read the number in my post. It is .001 and .002. You won't get a rod knock out of that amount of excess clearance. Just so you know a typical sheet of paper is .003. What you need to realize is there are varying degrees of "excess clearance". That is why the use of terms like slop is sloppy. I would agree that something like .005 or more will give rod knock and if you try to run it hard, catastophic failure. (spun rod bearing and real rod knock.) It still stands --Excessive bearing clearance causes oil consumption from the oil rings being overwhelmed with oil! Not pistons being jerked around.