MSD 5095 Installation

MSD DynaForce Starter, Chevrolet SB and BB V8

Straight Mount, PN 5095, Staggered Mount, PN 50951

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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.

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2 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

BATTERY

LENGTH

3’ 5’ 7’ 10’ +10’

AWG

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.

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INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 3

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.

THE CORRECT PINION DEPTH SHOULD MEASURE 1/4” to 3/8”.

Figure 6 Pinion Gear Pattern.

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.

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TECH NOTES

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Service

In case of malfunction, this MSD component will be repaired free of charge according to the terms of the warranty.

When returning MSD components for warranty service, Proof of Purchase must be supplied for veriﬁcation. After the warranty period has expired, repair service is based on a minimum and maximum fee.

All returns must have a Return Material Authorization (RMA) number issued to them before

being returned. To obtain an RMA number please contact MSD Customer Service at 1 (888) MSD-7859 or visit our website at www.msdperformance.com/rma to automatically obtain a number and shipping information.

When returning the unit for repair, leave all wires at the length in which you have them installed. Be sure to include a detailed account of any problems experienced, and what components and accessories are installed on the vehicle. The repaired unit will be returned as soon as possible using Ground shipping methods (ground shipping is covered by warranty). For more information, call MSD at (915) 855-7123. MSD technicians are available from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday (mountain time).

Limited Warranty

SD warrants this product to be free from defects in material and workmanship under its intended normal use*, when properly installed and purchased from an authorized MSD dealer, for a period of one year from the date of the original purchase. This warranty is void for any products purchased through auction websites. If found to be defective as mentioned above, it will be repaired or replaced at the option of MSD. Any item that is covered under this warranty will be returned free of charge using Ground shipping methods. This shall constitute the sole remedy of the purchaser and the sole liability of MSD. To the extent permitted by law, the foregoing is exclusive and in lieu of all other warranties or representation whether expressed or implied, including any implied warranty of merchantability or ﬁtness. In no event shall MSD or its suppliers be liable for special or consequential damages. *Intended normal use means that this item is being used as was originally intended and for the original application as sold by MSD. Any modiﬁcations to this item or if it is used on an application other than what MSD markets the product, the warranty will be void. It is the sole responsibility of the customer to determine that this item will work for the application they are intending. MSD will accept no liability for custom applications.

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FRM30933 Revised 10/12 Printed in U.S.A.

MSD 5095 Installation

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual