Brian, I have always mounted them with about 2/3 comressed. Anywere from 15" to 14.5" bearing centers is fine. Dont worry about the snubbers, they will take care of themselves, they will compress if the shock trys to compress to much under use. If you are concerned, you can take 1/2" or so off the snubbers thick end, (not the tappered end) to give a little more clearence.
Glad to hear you got the shocks back in the 2 weeks they said.... :shock:
ed