just bbought all new top half parts for my 383 heads cam intake carb ect.. i started dissassembley today got down to pulling the crank pulley and ballancer only to find i have about 1/4" of play back and forth! so i obviously have trashed thrust bearings i'm just hoping when i yank the engine out i don't have a trashed block or crank too. I guess i didn't get as great of a deal as i thought on this car when i got it. the low mile engine is junk !

No telling if it's salvageable or not until you pull it apart. Sometimes the thrust of the crank can be ground oversize and overlength thrust main bearings can be used. The other option is to have the thrust welded up and reground back to standard.

I'd say you have all kinds of luck, you didn't wind up with a spun bearing!;)