MSD 5095 Installation

MSD DynaForce Starter,
Chevrolet SB and BB V8

Straight Mount, PN 5095, Staggered Mount, PN 50951

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.

IMPORTANT: Proper installation of the DynaForce Starter is important to the overall operation. Correct alignment

of the starter pinion with the ring gear is needed to achieve the best operation and longevity from
your starter. Please read the instructions before attempting the installation.

Parts Included:

1 - Starter
2 - Mounting Bolts

1 - Shim Ring
1 - Outer Shim

2 - Mounting Block Shims

WARNING: Before installing the DynaForce Starter disconnect

the battery cables. When disconnecting the
battery cables, always remove the Negative (-)
cable first and install it last.

1. Make sure the starter mounting flange on the engine block
is clean and smooth.

2. Install the starter with the supplied hardware. It is recommended
to leave the shims out until the pinion gear to ring gear teeth
mesh is checked. Torque the bolts to 32 lb-ft.

3. Check that the position of the solenoid is away from direct
heat sources and other components. If there are clearance
problems, the starter housing can be rotated to move the
location of the solenoid. This is done by removing the three
bolts on the mounting block and repositioning the starter
motor (Figure 1).

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.

CLOCKING

LOCATIONS

Figure 1 Clocking the Starter for Clearance.

• 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".

Figure 2 Checking Pinion Clearance.

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

2 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

BATTERY

+

-

LENGTH

3’ 5’ 7’ 10’ +10’

AWG

4

2

1

0

00

CABLE LENGTH VS. GAUGE

12-GAUGE MINIMUM
TO IGNITION
SWITCH

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

INSTALL OUTER

SHIM

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

SHIM

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

Figure 3 Installing the Pinion Shim Spacers.

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.

Figure 4 Checking Gear Mesh.

Figure 5 Wiring the Starter.

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