You can slot the four holes that mount the fan and move it back I did it on one of my builds to get more clearance

I think the plate on the motor only has two mounting holes. The fan shaft runs thru a "pillow block" assembly, also with two holes. If I slotted anything to move the bracket back, I wonder if the fans pulley would be mis-aligned?

...a couple more fan pics.

I also wonder if there is anything I could grind off the front of the fan to gain extra clearance?

I would disassemble that fan bearing housing and check the internals for the correct parts order as well as dimensions they give on the spacers in the parts blow out. Specifically items 11 and 12. I can’t see what controls the end play in the parts schematic in the bearing housing but I would make sure there’s nothing funky going on in there. Are items 36 and 8 there and tight as well?

http://www.cubcadet.com/equipment/AR...0-A/0029400025

Started to put the tractor back together tonight. Had a little more time to scope things out. I have the radiator bolted in place by the two bottom bolts.

Using a pry bar I tried to move the engine...the motor mounts appear to be rock solid. The fan shaft has no noticeable lateral or end play.

Soooo, as of now, I am going back to my original issue of the nut on the top center bracket being loose.

Look at the attached diagram... there are two larger bolts holding the radiator at the bottom. The only other "locating" bolt is at the top center. of bracket (#3)...if the nut (#8) on this stud is loose. (as it was) ...it looks to me like the top brace (#4) would be loose and the radiator could move back..into the fan.

I still have a LOT to put back together ...and will continue to check clearances as I do so.

Thanks again for all the suggestions! ...stay tuned! lol

How were the bolts #5 adjusted against the bracket for the brace? If I remember correctly, the holes in the bracket were slotted. So if the bracket was put on with the bracket positioned away from the radiator, it may actually push the radiator towards the fan when the brace is attached. If it is positioned closer to the radiator, then it may pull the radiator away from the fan when attached to the brace.

That bracket is slotted. Problem is if I set the bolts to maximum clearance between fan and radiator, there is no room for the screen... it drops between the bracket and front of the radiator.

Once I get the grill housing back on I will check to see what I have for fan clearance again. If I need more clearance, I'm thinking I can modify (shorten) the center brace (#4) a bit. That should pull the radiator forward and still allow room for the screen.