Kirk is calling in for a confusion of opinions - right place to ask. 

Here’s one more opinion worth what you paid for it.

First off - don’t be afeard to do some work on it.  If it doesn’t work now -
well, it can only get better.

What do we know?
Wedges work well if they are accurate, and arranged to trap the blade at a solid
point near the cutting edge
Low angles are generally good for this style of plane. 
The wedge is also the main place you grip it in use, so needs to be comfy. 
You need the ability to retract the blade for storage.  

What to do?
The problem with fettling the bed is the lack of access.  So change the bed.  
new infill, as suggested, or shim the present one.  Either way, you need a solid
point to engage the wedge, and a long length of bed to support your hand
pressure in use.   Easy enough to file down the back end of the casting if
necessary.  Maybe a decent hardwood bad, full length.
The wedge needs to engage at a point near the cutting edge.  Somewhere on the
leading solid bronze portion would be good, from the look of it.
Cut down the rear edges of the blade to add clearance.  There’s about  20 years
life in that blade as it is, so don’t worry about it.
Take care that the wedge isn’t engaging on the tail of the blade as you set it.
It can be relieved on its underside back to the end of the bronze, so the
comfort section hanging over the fresh air is just that - comfort, and not
working.

and of course you will have checked the sole for flatness, and the bed for
flatness.  looks as if you can only gain file access from the side, or will a
flat needle file go through the mouth without harming the leading edge.

Looks like a morning’s work ahead of you.  


Enjoy!


Richard Wilson
Northumbrian Galoot
from Yorkshire.