73 Evinrude, 50 HP, Need driveshaft clearance dimension

[sray]

I've asked this before and gotten a reply from Rodbolt, but he hasn't been back on since. <br />Does anyone have a factory gauge that measures the distance from the pinion gear on the driveshaft to the top of the thrust bearing shims. SHould be .000 to .020 clearance according to my manual. Rod bolt said the dimension was marked on the gauge. I'd rent a gauge or possibly buy one to get the right dimension for this set up. One dealership locally said they wouldn't set it up because they didn't rebuild the lower unit and the other said they set it by "feel". I know experience is important,but I'd like to get the dimension just in case that feel didn't work out, I'd have something to fall back on.<br /><br />Thanks for putting up with the hassle.

 

[ob15]

Re: 73 Evinrude, 50 HP, Need driveshaft clearance dimension

I can't believe a local shop won't shim the thrust bearing for you. There are 2 tools needed. One is the actual gauge to shim with & the other is a tool that holds the drive shaft & preloads the shaft for propoer shimming. I would try to find a shop to do it. I think the 2 tools would be expensive for a single use. I would think it would be a lot less expensive to pay a shop to shim the drive shaft for you. I was heading in that direction with my lower unit but didn't ahve to time so got a rebuilt unit. I would have paid the shop to shim for me.

 

[sray]

Re: 73 Evinrude, 50 HP, Need driveshaft clearance dimension

I would let a shop do it. I'd even ship it out to a shop to do it. I don't have that option right now, cause I don't know of any other shops. As I said of the two local shops only one would work with me and they don't have a gauge either.<br /><br />Most of the shops around here that used to sell OMC outboards are out of business. The Japanese motors have taken over. I even own one myself.<br /><br />Any other ideas?<br />Thanks