i am working on my BOP. we got my brother's cougar's 8" done at a shop after i got the 3rd member out a few weeks ago. apparently he didn't want me to practice gearwork on it. go figure. it's all done and on the road, running like a defiled platypus. (ask me why i chose that description)

the BOP i will have on the bench in the garage it's already out of the car. i have all the other tools except the press/adapters, and a gear..oops.. bearing splitter. i think i'll stick with the $20 depth micrometer, but thanks for the tips.

the side shims do have me a bit concerened. i got the "deluxe installation kit". but since i am changing the carrier, why/how is it that it can take the exact same amount of side shims as the old one?