VPI SAMA Setup: Help please?

I bought a VPI SAMA yesterday and installed it with my HW 19 MKIII. I have a question about the installation and the folks at VPI are not available until Tuesday.

When I set up the SAMA I had trouble getting it aligned with the hole in the plinth. It seems that the housing for the SAMA has to be nearly touching the wooden base in order for the pulley shaft to clear the edge of the hole in the plinth without rubbing. The pulley shaft is very close to the edge of the hole closest to the platter. Shouldn't it be closer toward the center of the hole? Is it necessary to cut away some of the wood on the base in order to move the SAMA closer into the corner of the base, so that the pulley is closer to the center of the hole? Has anyone outh there had similar problems? My 19 MKiii is about 13 years old. Could it be that there have been changes made to the turntable's base on more recent models?

I'd appreciate any help.

Thanks!

Mark