96 corvette lt4, front suspension question:

I'm about 2 days into installation of the midamericamotorworks wedge lowering kit and getting a little frustrated. I have removed the original rubber located on the top side of the spring and installed the wedges.

When I reinstalled the leaf spring, even after cutting/modifying the aluminum retainer, the wedges do not sit flush with the frame (top of wedge on the top of the spring to the surface above the leaf spring), and the bolt does not have enough threaded surface to press the wedges flush to the frame. Is this normal?

On the stock suspension, is the leaf spring engaged with the surface above it at all times, or does it have some travel before the original rubber would contact the surface above it.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, as the car is just sitting on jack stands at the moment.