Yes, for minor center to center variance you can dial-in static belt deflection by adding/removing the secondary shim washers. This should fix your "too close" center to center condition, so you are going the right direction by removing shims (the ones between the secondary sheaves) in your case. You are in-effect going from having a belt that is too long, to a proper length belt by allowing the secondary sheaves to close further together. This is absolutley critical to having a good holeshot. How much too close is the center to center distance on your F7?