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Good point on end play. That can be checked without disassembling anything. Pry on the damper of flex plates. You should get an audible thunk in each direction as the crank hits the thrust bearing.
So I've only opened 3 GM engines, a 350 a 6.2 and a 6.5. The front cam bearing certainly takes a brunt of the wear on those engines I have opened.
You can't really judge oil starvation from the cylinders. They're the last to be affected. I strongly suggest checking mains and rods. At least...