Like everything else, there are production tolerances. The pickup is DESIGNED to touch the pan.
Do some research.
So, in fact, the pick up touching the pan was the zero end of the tolerance and plus .1875 (that's 3/16 for you fractional types) on the high side IIRC. I have not seen these numbers since 1980 but I have never forgotten the ideal fit is on the pan. I suspect most never went out that way, because some idiot will smash the pan.
Again, the OP did NOT have an issue because the pick up was touching the floor of the pan. That is where it should be.
Can't tell you ho many I put together that way, but it's correct. The OP needs to look for something else to cover his problem.
And add at least one quart more oil and remark the dip stick. Maybe two quarts if he is going to smash on the throttle or worse yet, try and fender race and stomp on the brakes.
Funny thing is, David Reher just wrote a technical article on this stuff. Everyone should read it. There'd be way fewer broken engines out there.
