Small block crankshaft endplay

gregcon said

I'm gonna go on record as saying there's no way to have 1/2" end play. The engine would stop running before that much metal could be worn away.

The auto trans pump cannot place any axial load (thrust) on the crank. There's is no reason for the pump gear to thrust - it's an even 'cut'. Even if it did, the drive tangs on the converter snout would simply compensate.

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I didn't put a tape measure to it yet, but will once we get it pulled out. But its definitely a large amount of movement. By eye it looks like it is a solid 1/4"-3/8" of an inch at least. It literally makes a clunking noise from moving it back and forth. And I am assuming that any amount you can physically see by eye is a good indicator that it's had the thrust bearing failure. I am just hoping that the block hasn't had any unrepairable damage, as I would think that a big part of the value of the car is in it's being an original drivetrain car.