What you said is EXACTLY what Jim and I figured out last night from his MCI9 and a flashlight! I think it is best if we can figure a way to pull that cradle back to where it belongs, don't forget that also mis aligns the belt pulleys as well as other things. I would suspect that if the drive shaft and other things are OK with movement, that new Porta Power toy you bought should put it back where it belongs.Have a great trip tomorrow!
Steve the rear "T" bolts are what are supposed to line up the cradle position. And "MOST of the time" if the cradle is pushed all the way to the built in stops at the rear of the rails, those inverted "T" bolts flip right up into their slot perfectly! Sounds as though for what ever reason such as any you mentioned or other the engine and cradle assembly has been moved back! The drive shaft should have enough movement in it''s slip-yoke to accomadate this however it also could be slipped out almost to or past it's "safe" limit! At any rate ya need to make sure that the olts holding it in are tight in whatever position you decide to go with so it won't move! Personally I'd want to make that cradle sit as far forward as it originally was meant too, then make other adjustments to the less important componets! As ya said Ya got my # and E-mail call, drop a note, or drop in anytime! Best to check ahead a day or 2 , to make sure I'm here, but if I ain't here I can assure you I won't be gone long! Thinks go nuts if I get away to long! Knuckle