TOPIC: 1971 Mercruiser 215E - pinion gear removal

In the process of disassembling a Mercruiser 215E. Low hours, having spent its whole life in fresh water, so it's been relatively easy take apart. Plan is to clean, repair skeg and some sad pry bar marks and paint and reseal. Using an original 1971 Mercruiser Service Manual, I've been able to acquire all seals from Marine Engine.
















Question: to remove the pinion nut, I need to be able to hold the verticle driveshaft in place. It is 17 spline 1 1/8". The Mercruiser 'torque tool' is MC 91-48606 which is no longer available and I've not been able to find a used one on the web. Would a Bravo 2 tool perhaps fit? I'd like to find an appropriate tool, because the pinion nut requires accurate torque to determine proper pinion shim thickness. Thoughts?