I am now certain that I will need to shim out the upper bandsaw wheel,
as I did put that 1/4" blade on this morning and gave it a whirl. The
blade is running ~1/4-3/8" from the front of the wheel, on both upper
and lower wheels, and rubs agains the front wheel guard if I have the
front wheel guard tightened all the way. That is with the tracking
adjustment screwed all the way in.
Can I just take off the top wheel and place a washer or two behind it?

Thanks in advance, Richard