318 LA rebuild after losing a valve seat

One other thing on your rod bearing assembly to the rods, i install the rod bearings dry into the long part of the rod and also dry inserting them into the rod caps. Don't want that thick STP lube in there giving it a reason to turn a bearing in the future. (spun bearing)

Also slight possibility that thick lube there is making them tight on the crank. As you were saying a few bearings were sticking up .020 ths. proud above the flat surface of the rod cap . . It should be flush.

So anyhow insert rod bearings into rods and caps dry. Then when they are installed flush then apply your STP assembly lube to the bearing face that is facing the crank journal. Then install on crank and snug up and torque.