The problem started with replacing the left water pump. I couldn't get the fan mounted so it was clear of the crankshaft pulley. This gave me enough grief that I decided to share the problem and resolution. There is a square washer behind the large nut that holds the generator bracket to the intake manifold. My mistake was in adjusting the generator belt tension without the fan bracket bolted to the generator bracket. This allowed the square washer to turn some. So when I bolted the fan bracket in place it was not seated properly but sitting on this square washer. I finally found the problem by feeling the problem with my fingers. In the picture, the generator is flipped out of the way and the square washer is visible and in proper place with the fan bracket on either side of it.

Fan to generator bracket mount showing square washer behind big nut

 

Passing along pitfalls and solutions is like giving out gifts that can be opened when the need arises . Thanks for posting.

 

I tried welding a strip of metal on the back side of the square washer so it couldn't rotate; no luck.