Edelbrock head valve spring assembly

AJ, were the original shims very thin, like .020" thick, and were they single shims? I ask, because, to keep the springs from digging downward into the AL seats, it really should not matter if the cups or shims are used, as long as they are a similar hardness of steel, that is thick enough to resist any localized bending or flexing of the shims.

An yes, the cups can manage sideways movement of the spring base better..... as long as they are properly fitted.