Sx outdrive question

[Mikecaldo]

Hello all:
im sure this has been covered elsewhere, but I’d love some clarification from somebody with some knowledge. Here’s the abridged version: I stripped the dipstick threads on my sx outdrive (stupid move on my part). Put in a helicoil, but it isn’t perfectly straight. Ordered the new cover, gasket, and a handful of shims.

First question - when it comes to making the feeler gauge measurements to ensure proper shimming, where am I doing that at? Won’t the cover be in contact with the rest of the drive? Or is the point to shim it high enough initially to get a measurement and then subtract like the Manual says to get the right amount? That seems to make sense to me but I’d feel better if somebody verifies that for me.

second, with regard to the shims I ordered from the VP store, they arrived and look like they were bent in the mail. Should I send them back, or will it matter once I tighten the cap down on them? They are not completely mangled, but they do have some slight creases.

I can’t figure out how to attach pics or I would for reference.

thanks a bunch
mike

 

[alldodge]

Assistance please kenny nunez , Scott Danforth

 

[Scott Danforth]

Factory manual covers shiming. Thsre are picscas to how and where to measure

Regarding the shims, light bend ok, crease not ok

 

[Mikecaldo]

Awesome thanks. Got the factory manual, looks like it makes sense. One last question.... manual says to add .04” shim to get your first measurement. Do I need to just bite the bullet and order 4 individual .01” shims to get that first measurement or is there an easier way? Looks like the fattest one I can get from VP is .01”.

im hoping I luck out and the shims under the current cover are correct for the new one but im sure that is unlikely.

Thanks
mike