340 xhead spring shimming, height and pocket question(s)

Only reason I can think of using shims(in this case) is to increase spring psi?
Without the shims and with my shitty measuring skills the inst height measurements are already tighter than the 1.700" spec.
Gotta measure to that many decimals with my lousy measuring lol.
I'll compare oem springs vs 942 side by side.
Thanks
What was the usage before? What type of lifters? Maybe they were running or planning to run solids? That would be the only reason I could figure. The 942 is the sprAng I'm running on Vixen's engine right now with solids, of course. I set the head up myself and did use shims. I got the seat pressure right in the 130 range. You have to be careful though, because those springs don't have a big range and can't stand a lot of lift. That's why I had to have this cam ground with a low lift, but a FAT duration. It's only .465 lift, but 250 @ .050 duration. It's worked out very well, though, and has the reliability of a stock type camshaft with little stress on the valve train. What lift do you plan on running?