Did you use new bearings? If so, did you make sure you used the exact same size that came out of it?
Sounds like your adjustable cup is sitting further out than it did before you removed it, and that there are now
more threads showing on it when you install the lock ring. If you used the same spindle, the only thing I can think of might be over-sized bearing balls.

Oh, wait... when you installed the spindle back into the bottom bracket, did you make sure to put the "longer" side on the side that the drive side crank attaches to? Maybe you installed it backwards? Don't know if this would affect things like you say.