John, ref the shims, I've never needed them but apparently the check is that you assemble the fork stanchion tube and bushes and circlip, gently punch the top bush down to its lowest position, pull the fork fully out and check to see if clearance between the top bush's collar and the clip causes the bush to move up or clicking can be heard when the lower bush pushes on the underside of the top bush and the bush contacts the clip. It doesn't matter if there weren't any shims on disassembly, it's the collar on the new top bush that matters.
Concerning the length of the top bush, I have seen a variation of 2" to 2 1/8". If you are saying that you have some at about 1", I wouldn't use them myself.
Hope this helps
Alan