MSD 8987 Start and Step Timing Control Installation - Manual

Figure 1
Parts Included:
1 – Control
4 – Mounting Screws
WARNING: During installation, disconnect the battery cables. When disconnecting the
battery, always remove the negative cable first and install it last.
Note: Must be used with an MSD Ignition.
OPERATION
The Start and Step Retard provides two retard
features; a start retard and a step retard. The
Control can be connected to distributors using
a magnetic pickup, amplifier or breaker point. It
is recommended that the centrifugal advance
of the distributor be locked-out. The amount
of retard is selected with the two rotary dials
(Figure 1).
Start Retard: The Start Retard is adjusted with the
rotary dial on the left. It is adjustable in 5° increments
for 4, 6 or 8-cylinder engines from 0°-20° The
number of cylinders must be selected, even when
no start retard will be used. Simply rotate to dial to
the desired position.
The Start Retard is activated as soon as the engine
begins to crank. Between 400 and 600 rpm, the
timing begins to ramp back to zero retard (your total
timing setting). The start retard will not activate again until the engine rpm drops to 400 rpm (the timing will
also ramp on again between 600-400 rpm).
Step Retard: The Step Retard is adjusted with the dial on the right. The retard is adjustable from 0°-
15° in one degree increments. The Step Retard is activated by the Pink wire. When the Pink wire is
connected to 12 volts, the retard is activated. The most common application is to splice the Pink wire
into the activation trigger wire of a nitrous system. That way, the retard is activated with the nitrous.
The Controller also has a very accurate magnetic pickup compensation circuit built-in and will hold
the timing steady throughout the entire rpm range of the engine. This is why there will be a 4° change
in the engine timing when the Control is installed.
Important: After installation the engine’s mechanical timing must be checked and reset.
6-CYLINDER
ENGINE
4-CYLINDER
ENGINE
ZERO
STEP RETARD
8-CYLINDER
ENGINE
M S D
• W W W . M S D P E R F O R M A N C E . C O M • ( 9 1 5 ) 8 5 7 - 5 2 0 0 • F A X ( 9 1 5 ) 8 5 7 - 3 3 4 4
ONLINE PRODUCT REGISTRATION: Register your MSD product online and you’ll be entered
in our monthly 8.5mm Super Conductor Spark Plug Wire give-away! Registering your product
will help if there is ever a warranty issue with your product and helps the MSD R&D team create
new products that you ask for! Go to www.msdperformance.com/registration.
Start and Step Retard Control
PN 8987