1996 Johnson/Evinrude Outboards 50 thru 70 3-Cylinder Service Manual, Page 220Get this manual
8Check the squareness ofthe bearing housing mounting surface by holding the gauge bar against the pinion while rotating just the bearing housing and measuring the clearance between the gauge bar and the bearing housing with feeler gaugesMeasure between each pair of screw holesReplace the bearing housing and repeat check if variance exceeds 0.004 in (0,010 mm) 1 Check the squareness of the pinion to the driveshaft by 4219holding the gauge bar against the bearing housing (between the screw holes) while rotating just the driveshaft and pinion assembly and measuring the clearance between the gauge bar and the pinionReplace the pinion or the driveshaft, as necessary, and repeat the check if variance exceeds 0.002 in(0,050 mm)