Re: 290 pivot pin (suspension dowel) seems loose
Here's what likely happened.
Average Joe Do-it-Your-Selfer attempted to remove the hinge pins without knowing what he was doing. (Not saying that's you)
These are rather SS soft pins, and he very likely drove on them with a carbon steel drift punch, and he expanded the pins some. When he finally got the pins out, aluminum material from the transom shield pin bosses was compromised.... and he was left with an over-sized pin bore.
Always use heat to gentle expand the aluminum pin bosses (prior to driving on them), and use nothing harder than an Italian Bread Stick as your drift punch. (I.E., a brass or aluminum punch only)
If the play is not excessive, just run it.
If the play is excessive, and if you can't live it, there is a fix.
Contact a good machinist, and have him ream the pin bosses out to a standard ID.
Then have him turn two new "stepped" SS hinge pins for you.
The OD at the inner side of the SS hinge pin (for the suspension fork bushing side) will remain OEM.
The OD at the outer side of the SS hinge pin (for the shield pin boss side) will now be enlarged some, and you'll have a nice tight fit at this side.
However, you'll have two b%$#%d children.... of which should not be a deal breaker, IMO.
BTW, the keeper bolts do nothing more than prevent the hinge pins from sliding either way, and/or from rotating.
They simply fit into the radius'd notch, and have ZERO affect on the tightness of the pin fit.
