As a follow up to "is my rear end junk?" post...It was and I found a replacement 1954 rear end that already had the 3.55:1 gears...BONUS! But I have to use my 1940 torque tube and third member with the 54 banjo housing and aftermarket ring and pinion gears. The trouble is, I don't have the instructions that come with the gears when you buy them. I have read all of the available tech tips and my 1940 shop manual and I am confident of all of the steps except shimming the pinion shaft. How do I determine the proper shims? is it strictly bluing? And is it only after setting the backlash or is there a preliminary check that I can make to get it close? surly the shims will have a huge effect on the backlash.

Thanks, John