FrankR – are you referring to part # 35 Retaining Ring as being tapered ?
are you talking about the thickness of the ring or the fat part at the bottom
and the skinny part at the top where the eyes are ?
the ring I have is .006" thick all the way around.
Item# 17-A alignment pin must seat properly
items circled in red gave me some issues when I was
first learning how to refurbish the RD gear case. (Thanks Pap)
http://www.marineengine.com/parts/johnson-evinrude-parts.php?year=1957&hp=35&model=RD-19&manufacturer=Johnson§ion=Gear+Case+Group
assemble – disassemble / check – double check a few times dry before buttoning it all up for good.
.