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I know this is an old thread. But this made my day and put me at ease. Have a '96 Heritage Softail Classic I ride about 40 miles a day. Sunday I noticed a few drops of oil. Monday a small puddle. Figured when I got home today I'd tear into it. Of course, halfway home I look down and am freaking out when I see the lifter guide block bouncing everywhere and oil pouring out all over everything (including the rear tire and brakes). Tow it home thinking well sh$t there goes $750 easy. Took me about an hour to find this particular thread. Thanks, guys I feel much better.
I've never had a lifter block come loose enough to move. Personally I've never worried that the screw holes for the blocks might be drilled wrong. Think about it, they don't drill and tap those by hand you know so I always use the block alignment screws just because. After all they're cheap enough but because I'm cheaper the they are I made my own out of a couple of shoulder bolts and they work fine.
Finally, if you're going to use thread locker on the block screws make sure you clean out the holes with carb or brake cleaner and blow them out well. The thread locker won't work if there's oil in the threads.
One thing I’ve learned on this ‘96 over the past 4 years is things can go from fine to loose to falling off in under 50 miles. I’d bet money that those lifter block screws haven’t been checked or messed with in 20 years. Finally just decided to break loose. A rattle here a drip there just seems normal at this point. Dumping oil onto the freeway at 70 mph though...that was a little concerning.
