Thanks for feedback ..I will check the model (it had HRM215 and then a metal plate riveted on with EL stamped into it) must be more and I will get the SN.
Also, I failed to mention that the person that I bought mower from said he just had the blade clutch replaced....could he have used a thicker clutch ?
Regarding your procedure with dowel or crayon, if you have the mower on the ground, how did you get your hand underneath to scribe the dowel at blade height ?
Regarding wrong blade, I will look and see if there is something that I can see.... is there any chance that the one with the clutch has a blade that mounts to mower but then is not straight but instead had a bend in it to bring it back up inside the mower more (like 2 90 degree bends on each side ?)
Thanks again.
Tim