So I bought a 71 XLCH off a guy that claimed his buddy stood onthe shifter and knocked the shifter rod-ball out of the pawl carrier......after pulling the damn thing apart, he was right. The pawl carrier bolt was loose though.....I gunked it up with blue loctite but I'm betting this is a common problem....anybody here no a any "trick" fixes or how to keep the pawl carrier tight?

His buddy was not a buddy, he is a jerk. This is not a common problem. If you tightened it properly it should cause no further problem unless the 'buddy' comes around again. Then fix him with a boot up his rear.......pg

are you running an oil filter on that 71? if yes, where did you put it....

No I do not. It is as it came original. I change the oil on a regular basis instead of a filter.......pg