MSD 5095 DynaForce Starter, Chevy_GM Small and Big Block V8 Installation - Manual (Page 3)

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 3
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INSTALLATION INFO
INSPECT PINION GEAR
After cranking the engine several times, you can inspect
the witness pattern on the pinion gear. The pattern should
show 1/4" to 3/8". If over, the internal shim is required.
NOISE
If there is a high pitch whine during cranking, the pinion to
ring gear engagement may be out of specification, on the
high side. If there is a whine after cranking there may be
too little of clearance. The gear mesh spec is .020"-.035"
(Figure 4).
SLOW CRANKING
The most common cause is due to low input voltage. The
battery should be checked, but also inspect the battery
wires, terminals, connections or switches.
DISCONNECT SWITCHES
Most sanctioning bodies require an emergency disconnect
switch. Be sure to use a heavy duty switch that is capable
of handling high current. Some starters may pull over 700
amps while cranking. Most disconnect switches are rated
at continuous and intermittent amps. Make sure to use a switch that exceeds your starting and electrical
system requirements.
R-TERMINAL
On older vehicles, mostly with breaker points, there was an extra terminal and wire on the original starter
(the MSD DynaForce Starter does not have this terminal). This extra terminal served as a ballast resistor
bypass. When the starter was cranking, 12 volts would be supplied on this terminal and directly to
the coil positive terminal for starting assistance.
Most ignition systems today do not need this terminal, however, if your ignition has no voltage when
cranking you can wire a system. Connect a 10A/250V diode in-line with the motor side of the solenoid.
The banded end of the diode goes away from the starter. This allows current to go to the ignition coil
during cranking and will not feed back to the starter while the engine is running.
CAST IRON STARTERS
The MSD DynaForce Starter is meant to replace factory starters that were equipped with a aluminum
front housing (nose). If your original starter was cast iron, more shims may be required to achieve
proper ring gear engagement.
Figure 6 Pinion Gear Pattern.
THE CORRECT PINION DEPTH
SHOULD MEASURE 1/4” to 3/8”.