352 Piston

Rule of thumb is .001 for each inch of cylinder bore. 3.5 bore, .0035 clearance. That being said, an old motor that wont see a lot of miles can get by with .010 without blowing smoke if you put new rings on that piston. Clean out the carbon in the grooves, use sandpaper and kerosene if you don't have a glaze buster or a hone. Then clean very well.
 
Original Ford specs. were .0015 to .0023. I fit most replacement 4" cast pistons at .002. Depending on how the engine will be used, I fit a forged 4" piston anywhere from .004 to .008. If the engine is old and worn but you don't want to bore it, by a set of custom rings and cut them to fit. You may have some piston rattle, but if the rings are cut properly it will probably run ok without smoking
 
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