Crank Thrusting Foreward Issues

I'll check the bolt depth and ensure it is not giving me a false torque from bottoming out in the snout, and you're right, a steel sleeve would be a better option. When threading the bolt in, there is only about 1/2" or so of threads until it all tightens up. I likely have to take the pan off anyways for an oil leak but would naturally love to avoid pulling the engine. Now with the pan off, I should be able to see if the #3 cap or bearing has failed.

Now, I have to admit, I remember putting the balancer on when it was all on the engine stand. It was very tight, even when warmed up. I don't recall though, if I helped force it on with some dead blows. I'm wondering if I did, that the #3 cap could have shifted aft and then now the crank has lots of room to thrust forward since the cap loosened up. Is that the last nail in the coffin for a crank, cap, and bearing combo? I'm grabbing at all ideas now on how it happened whether it was me or machine.

The bolts and caps are oem, yes. I don't believe I have been detonating, my entire rotating assembly is oem. I pull lots of timing and give it lots of fuel (E85) in boost. I figured it would explode the pistons if I had some detonation going on.

Not sure how anyone could put a converter in incorrectly. I fed the converter into the 904, engaging the slots into the pump and the splines into the shaft. Hoisted the trans into the pegs and bolted it down. Didn't have much problems there and it spun freely when lining up the flexplate bolts.

Is the converter what causes the crank the desire to thrust forward? The action of the fluid on the turbine rotor and stator?