Chris----The washers would have to get really thin before they would
drop out from between the retaining bearing cap. Since the standard
washer is .092 thick, this gives plenty of end play before that could
happen. Still, I wouldn't wait much past play of.020. The washers have
special alloy coating on them that measures about .010 thick. When this
alloy wears off, then the lubrication has to protect steel against
steel.
The end play you report is very normal. Reports of them "falling out"
(before it's time to do a routine bottom end replacement of crank and
rod bearings anyway) has to be relatively rare, but of course these
cases are the ones you hear about. Normally they should be good for
50,000 miles. Some have gone much more.
Dick
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