Exactly! Oil can take up a lot more room than you think. Without oil you may have .002~.003" clearance. And I agree with ramcharger's earlier statement that with your build you should shoot for .0025" clearance. Even .003" is fine. I wouldn't go any tighter than .002" for sure. Even though you say your not going to race it your description of it being a stroker that will make up to 600 hp and turn 6800 rpm that's an area that requires looser than normal bearings. Not as loose as a race engine but definitely a lot looser than a grocery getter. Don't worry about torqueing it down with no oil on the bearings. Won't hurt anything.
