BenzD, not sure if I understand your comment. There is supposed to be ~0.8mm of protrusion. The bent rod in the 3.5 manifests as reduced protrusion.

The protrusion spec calls for a measurement of the piston crown above the deck at the very front and very back of the piston (along the pin axis). In the 3.0 block there is almost 1mm front and back. In the 3.5 block there is about 1mm in the back and no protrusion in front. That suggests that the rod is bent forward. I wish it was a half inch low so it's very obvious. As it is I'm still trying to internalize that a 0.7mm difference is significant

I will make a better assessment of the block when it's out of the car. A proper measurement of the bore requires removal of the piston. If I can reuse the 3.5 block, you bet I will!

Sixto
93 300SD