Hi all! Changing the lifters out on my 91 FLH. In the repair manual before reinstalling lifter blocks, it says to use Lifter Guide Alignment Tool, part# HD-33443. I've seen pictures of it and doesn't look much different than a regular bolt.

I talked to a local indy nearby, he said that it is not really needed. Just shouting out for any opinions on this. Thanks

 

It is different than a regular bolt, and I would recommend using it.

Sure you can do it without the tool but you risk shortening the usable life of the lifters and causing unnecessary wear on your cam lobes.

Check out this thread for some insight and tips on making your own.

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/engin...necessary.html

 

The alignment tool is a special bolt that has a taper on the shaft that allows the lifter block to be precisely aligned with the cam centerline. Without it, there is no guarantee that the tappet rollers will be aligned parallel with the cam. Failure to do this can result in rapid wear and/or failure of the cam and tappet rollers.

Prior to '77, the MoCo used a dowel pin in each lifter block for this, but they stopped doing this, probably to save a few pennies per bike.

 

Thanks for the input guys. I thought it was going to cost more than it actually did. Found one on ebay for $7.49 with free shipping. Hard to beat that. Manufacturer V-Factor part number 48-9761, which I read is suppose to be a replacement for HD-334443. Sure hope so. I'm doing top end rebuild, and running low on funds here.

 

Sounds like a good deal. It's not an expensive tool. I think I paid $20 for mine at the dealer, so you got a good deal there.