Hi Chris,
Don't see your problem🙈
If you put two 55mm props tip to tip the distance between their centres will be 55mm.😉
So you will have 78.6-55=23.6mm between the prop blades when the shafts are fitted to the gearbox.
BTW: Our Brave Borderer guru is a great builder and 'good bloke' from Canada.
User name 'Rowen'.
Check out his Brave Borderer Build Blog at link below.
Cheers, Doug😎
https://model-boats.com/blogs/40884?sort=ASC