Has anybody had this problem
I had the issue where the idler contacted the pan as it swung into the notch (circled area in pic). Just had to clearance the pan a little. Don't know if the '73 and up linkage has any better clearance in that area but it's clear that the '67-72/187 pan combo is not perfect.
When I put the shortblock together for my blower with another 187 pan I just metal-worked that corner in advance knowing it would need it.