Is centering the fan on the radiator a must?

I have a '59 261 in a '52 3100. I currently have a new short shaft with the original fan. The fan hits the harmonic balancer by more than 1/4". I am going to try the adapter and hopefully center the fan and clear the harmonic balancer. The adapter is on order I'll post my results once I get the adapter mounted probably in the next couple of weeks!