The bars should be just touching the springs, this way when you launch the car, the bars will help the hook and weight transfer instead of waiting for 1 1/2" of travel before they start working. The wedge plates will help, or if you want to get some good bars you might want to consider the "J-Bolt" style traction bars, Lakewood used to make a set. Been a long time since I ran a leaf spring car so I'm not real sure who has them anymore. If you really want to improve the hook and weight transfer, use a set of housing floaters and ladder bars.