I did both, so that would be 0.030 or slightly less total crush. Yours is at 0.50 so it isn't that far off, it may not even be the problem but worth a try. Good luck.
Check the rear of the intake manifold and the valve cover gaskets. Did you look at the camshaft plug?
I had an engine that had what I thought was a rear main seal leak. Fixed it twice and it still leaked. Finally out of desperation I pulled the trans and bell housing to find the back camshaft welch plug was missing. I had the engine rebuilt and never noticed that the builder didn't put the plug in when I installed it in the car. Put the plug in, put it all back together and NO leak.
pulled I️t all apart again today, got a new rear main seal. Used dremel to grind down to just above .015 on both halves. As the block half was going in, I️t pushed out what looks to be a small piece of paper.(possibly the small slip tab that comes with gasket to aid in install) from god knows when. Have to let the silicone dry for the day. So tomorrow night, test again. Id the leak persists, trans is coming out. Never thought of camshaft plug. But it’s worth a shot. Intake man and valve covers all dry. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
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