#1) top bracket is upside as mentioned, this is what it should look like:
This is what the bottom bracket looks like. If you have something else, C is likely the answer:
This is taken from underneath, sorry for the awkward view, but I could not get it to rotate. Only other thing I can think of is new pulley is not flat against water pump. Did you have this problem before you replaced the fan/pulley?
2)wood should not be there, although I don't know that it affects anything, as mentioned this is voltage regulator.
3)I thought baffles were only used on V8 radiator which was in the forward position. I don't have any, so can't help you there.