MSD 50953 Chevy High Speed DynaForce Starter 10 Pitch_139 Tooth Installation - Manual (Page 2)

2 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
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Figure 4 Checking Gear Mesh.
Figure 3 Installing the Pinion Shim Spacers.
Figure 2 Checking Pinion Clearance.
4. With the starter installed, check the clearance between the
ring gear and the edge of the pinion gear (Figure 2). There
should be at least 1/16". It is recommended to check this
clearance in at least three places around the flex plate.
• If there is not enough clearance, you will need to install
the supplied shim kit by removing the mounting block
(Figure 3). Place the small shim ring in the bearing bore
and install the outer shim on the support housing. Reinstall
the mounting block. This will move the pinion gear into the
starter approximately 0.060".
5. To check the pinion gear mesh, gently pry the gear out to
engage to the ring gear. (Sometimes the pinion will not
retract. This is normal.) Insert a wire gauge as shown in
Figure 4. As a gauge, a standard 1.25" paperclip could be
used as they generally are about .035" in diameter. There
should be .020"-.035" clearance between the ring gear tooth
and the pinion gear.
• If there is not enough clearance, install one of the
supplied shims and check again.
• If there is too much clearance, install a shim under the
outer bolt only. This will tighten the clearance.
6. The switch wire that connects to the solenoid
should be at least 12-gauge (Figure 5).
Note: If your original starter had wire going to a
second terminal, an ‘R’ terminal, this can
generally be bypassed. See the information
on page 3 of the instructions for more details.
7. Attach the battery cable. The size of the battery
cable depends on its length. Using the proper
gauge wire is important to the operation of the
starter. Both the positive and ground wires must
be able to meet the demands of the starter. The
chart in Figure 5 shows the recommended sizes.
Be sure to route the wire away from the exhaust
and moving parts of the engine.
8. Connect the battery terminals and start the
engine.
IMPORTANT: Never operate a starter for more than
30 seconds at a time without letting
it cool for at least two minutes.