Wetdog,
My opinion that a full 1/4" is ok, not perfect but ok-unless that 1/4" is between the universal and the header. This may cause the
oil to bleed out of the universal. My thoughts are to check the depth of your rods/shafts going into the universals. They may be in or out to far. Simply adjusting them can get you more room.
Just a thought.
DV