Like I said Mike D, choose your own method. I'm just stating what works for me, and keeps my DSM on the road If I did everything the "number and paper way", I'd probably have a non running DSM for a decade just like you! Haha just kidding.

I take my measurements and know before hand if it's likely to walk or not. Your end play should be on the big end of the spec if all is right. If your on the small end of the spec, it ain't right. Think about it hard enough Mike, Rob and I are both looking for the same thing, just slightly different methods Sorry if I am not giving you #'s. That's for you to look up in the FSM I'll also just pressume you know why I am stepping on the clutch too before I torque it down, afterall you are an engineer

I have both a dial indicator and feeler gauges. I use the feeler gauges between the crank thrust and bearing surface to get measurements.