Small block thrust bearin main cap for aft alignment?

[Crash520]

Guys, ref 360, thrust bearing cap to block alignment. I have ARP mains studs, without bearings fitted I noticed the surfaces front and rear of the #3 bearing cap to block have a slight miss alignment/step, installed the bearing and others in the block and dropped the crank in without bearing caps, measured crank end float at 0.018", then installed the #3 cap with thrust bearing, re measured crank end float is now 0.001".. Block has been align bored and prepped however should the #3 main cap have such an offset? I would have thought the front and rear surfaces should have had a smooth transition?

[1 Wild R/T]

They should, the procedure is to snug the thrust bearing bolts to maybe 10 ft lbs then use a pry bar to force the crank fore & aft to center the cap... (Some folks prefer to use a mallet on each end of the crank, I prefer to use a pry bar... Same effect)  Often when ARP studs are installed there isn't enough clearance between the studs & the cap to get the cap to center... So you drill the holes to the next oversize....

Hopefully when the thrust is centered you gain a little clearance. you should.... Should be in the .003-.007 range...

[Chryco Psycho]

Possibly the main cap has been replaced causing the need for the align hone to line the new cap to fit