2000 Johnson/Evinrude SS 2 thru 8 outboards Service Manual, Page 247Get this manual
[}] 4Assemble propeller shaft components and pinion components into the gearcase without reverse gearTemporarily install water pump nuts, and propeller shaft bearing housing and screws 5Turn gearcase upside down
[] 6Wrap shop cloth around driveshaft and grip to provide load on gear teethDo not push up on driveshaft[] 7Push in lightly on propeller shaft while turning it counterclockwise two revolutions to mark gear teeth
rn 8If the gear feel theare being forced together (zero otherteeth tooth clearance), you will gear teeth rubbing against each
Disassemble the gearcase and change the forward gear shim to the next available thinner shim See Gearcase Shims and Thrust Washers chartRecoat the forward gear with gear marking compoundReassemble gearcase and retest9If the gears are not rubbing together, disassemble gearcase without turning shafts unnecessarily10Look at the gear tooth contact patterns on the concave (driving) side of the pinion and on the convex (driven) side of the forward gearCompare your gear tooth contact patterns to Figures 6, 7, and 8[[] If the patterns on your pinion and gear look like Figure 6, the gears are properly positioned Go to Check Reverse Gear Clearance