If no o-ring in flywheel recess, yes, a firm pry is not acceptable.
If there is an o-ring in the flywheel, then you are at the edge, but not over the cliff.
The minimum minimum is .00275". That is what I had with the Road Warrior in 2007 at VWBusrepairman's house. I was so nervous, I started the engine with my foot on the clutch to "burnish" the shims and shut it down at 1 minute to check rotational friction. Then I ran it another minute with my foot on the clutch and shut it down to check rotational friction. With no difference at a two-minute warm engine, I decided that it was going to be OK. This with a #1 main bearing red loctited to the saddle because it was loose in the case. The things we have done . . .
Colin