Shims for throwout bearing retainer collar

We're doing a clutch job on an 89 LX with stock T5. We ordered the steel throwout bearing retainer collar from Summit thinking it was a good thing to do while at it. Problem is, the stock shim is too tight and no shim is too loose. All the local Ford place has is the stock shim and the local speed shops are no help. Has anybody solved this problem and if so, where did you get the proper shims ? What is the general feeling on this replacement collar, is it that much of an improvement ? We may have to slap the old collar back on to get the car back together. A search turned up nothing.

Thanks for the replies.

93 teal - so yours didn't have a shim ? We did notice that there was a bit of orbital movement of the shaft with no shim in place (in other words, we could grab the shaft at the end and make slight round and round movements). But the end play (back and forth) didn't seem to be a problem I suppose when the input shaft engages the slight orbital movement would not be an issue since it would be captured so to speak, but it doesn't exactly give me a warm fuzzy to think about eliminating the shim entirely since the stock T5 has it.

jrichker - thanks for the links. I did download the T5 .pdf service manual, really great info to have ! The link to Hanlon Motorsports shows the shim kit for about $7, but we've run out of time for that this time I'm afraid. Need to get it back on the road for work / school, etc.

Any other comments from anyone ? Can the shim be eliminated safely if end play is not an issue ?

Thanks 93 teal. I think it would probably work okay without a shim but we will probably go back with the stock t.o.b. retainer setup for now and if we decide to use the Summit retainer in the future we will order the shims with it. Lesson learned I guess...