As an update i did get the $45 engine stand at harbor freight(see post in tools section) and took the other side head off. (NOTE: the pictures should re-size down in a few mins/hours)
i was able to turn the engine when taking off the flexplate to crank bolts. This probably makes no difference because of my next discovery.
This is what the bottom end looks like. 4 bolt mains. BTW this is/was a crate 350:
Here is cylinder #4; The piston clearly looks cracked and there is some issues at 3 O'clock and 5 O'clock in the first picture. Also the rod looks bent?:
different angles:
