Crank end play, destroyed converter, 408 nightmare

yellow rose said
If you took out the thrust bearing on the transmission side, most likely you didn't get the converter seated all the way into the transmission before you bolted it up. It doesn't take much to kill a thrust bearing. That's most likely what did that damage.

Now, you need to figure out why you are killing it with detonation and why it runs hot.

I've always wondered how that is even possible? Not having seated all the way back? But I've also seen ground up pumps because of this. Mostly due to those who bolted converter first. It's not like the flex plate adjusts? Just never have been able to visualize.