[Rich Biebel]

I had a period of time when I kept hurting thrust bearings
Had it happen 3 times on different engines and transmissions and even in 2 different cars.

BB Chevy engines, OEM steel cranks.

Had cranks weld repaired and they held up ok

I got in the habit of checking the engine every week with a big screwdriver.

At one point I pulled the oil pan and pulled the rear main bearing out and the main journal was not hurt. Put a new bearing in there and it had probably .030" of thrust movement.....crank thrust flange was worn....I ran it like that and it never was a problem and I eventually fixed it....

I tried every trick I knew.....Drilled the block and the bearing for direct pressurized oil to the thrust from the rear main oil feed hole....did not stop the problem....

For me the only thing that stopped the problem was not using a solid type flex plate....

Never had the thrust issues again...

I still won't use a solid wheel......and the thrust issues I had were from many years ago.....