Pinion gear installation

"Had to replace the drive shaf

"Had to replace the drive shaft seal, I decided to replace the bearing in the drive shaft cap, the pinion bearing, prop shaft bearing, thrust bearing in the drive shaft and all the seals and o-rings in the lower unit
while it was apart.
The question I have is, if the drive shaft is shimmed correctly which I am going to assume can I just
slip the pinion bearing on the drive shaft and place all the shims and thrust washer and thrust bearing on the
shaft and tighten down the bolts on the bearing cap. I have more shims up to .020 in 4 .05 shims and I know
that there seems to be some play up and down on the shaft , can I over shim it and then remove the shims
to get this play.
Is this a reasonable process to pursue , if so how many extra shims would be proper to place on the shaft?
Thanks"

"No idea what engine you'r

"No idea what engine you're speaking of...... Ford 302cu? (grin)

However, unless you've changed the pinion gear, there is no reason to change the shim thickness. Simply replace the original shims."