I'm going to answer my own questions for the record.
The answer is YES! You can change the engine shock and even the spring without removing the radiator or fan. Once you loosen the belt tensioner spring and the top bolt for the shock simply loosen the bottom shock bolt, slide it out as far as it will go and then the bottom shock mount will be able to swivel up and thus allow access to pull the bolt out the rest of the way.
It will make sense when you do it.