Setting up gears is easier than grammar school geometry. What you need is an old large pinion bearing. Hone the center of it until it is a slip fit on the pinion gear. That way, you can slip it off, change shims to get the pinion depth correct then press the new bearing on with your correct shims. No need to even install the front bearing, sleeve or front shims while doing this, because as mentioned, they have zero to do with pinion gear depth. Simply keep removing the pinion gear, sliding the honed bearing off and changing the shims until you get the right pinion depth. Nothin to it.
