Just measured it... Currently I'm coming up with 3.107" from the bearing cap mating surface to the machined face of the pinion.

3.107 - 3.079 = .028 more shim needed.

If I add .028 more shim, I don't think there is any way I'll make it fit back together. That will put me at .071 beind the pinion. My first set of pics in this post (Attempt #17) was with it at .060, and everyone said pull out, less shim.

Something's not adding up.