97HUGGER

Just recently installed a 383 eagle stroker kit and after running the car for about 125miles I found the crankshaft endplay was .019" - it was set at .005" when the motor was assembled. the thrust bearing was worn on the front side so something is either pulling back on the crank or pushing back on it. Removed bearing and changed it and ran engine without drive belt or tranmission on the hoist for 1 hour and drained oil and it was okay not full of bearing and endplay was .005" - installed drive belt and ran engine for 1 hour and changed oil and it was clean and endplay was still .005" - installed clutch and transmission and drove on the street for 25miles and changed oil and there was bearing material and .009" endplay.
I pulled the motor out and sent it back to the builder and they say everything is fine with the motor and it is and external force causing the thrust bearing to wear immediately. They are suggesting it is something in the clutch (pull style) or in the transmission or possibly pilot bearing. Can anyone give me some advice. Would a bad slave cylinder cause this? What can I check. I changed the clutch when I had the transmission out and it didn't make any difference as the thrust bearing went right away.