Sublunacy, have you ever taken apart the top end of a qr? You will see that the thrust washers in question only keep the rod centered on the wrist pin.  The needle bearing is what takes the force when the engine is running.
BTW thanks for the help from the other members on here. I picked up the washers, bearing and afm gaskets from Hpr.  Cylinder is getting bored now, hopefully have the zilla back together and running by next weekend.