MSD ignition starter saver

T

TED HEINRITZ

Well-known member
I am thinking of locking out the spark adavnce, possibly making it easier to set the spark timing and not have it move around.

I saw the MSD starter saver, simple way of retarding the spark while starting, might not be needed....

Anyhow there is a NOTE on the instruction sheet, only for 8 cyl applications.

So what happens if I were to install on a 4 cyl, would there be different retard, normally it has 10 deg??

Not sure why it would matter, has anybody used one of these??

When locking the advance is there any need to have any method to retard the timing to start the engine?
 
Well if anyone is wondering about use of this porduct....

I did get a reply from the MSD tech. The unit has two timing retard options, 10 or 20 deg, if used on a 8 cyl.

If used on a 4 cyl, the timing retard would change to 20 or 40 deg. The 20 deg retard might be OK. With the full advance at 32 deg. It would start at 12 deg.

So if you use a crank timing pick up or have a distributor with the advance locked out, and just set a fixed timing setting, the MSD starter saver could be used to retard the fixed timing while starting. Just NOTE the change in how much it will retard.

It also has a feature to make the timing more stable, but this will require re-setting the adjustment. It will retard the timing, 4 deg, or in a 4 cyl possibly 8 deg.
 
Many cars are started with the "Cold roll" method. That is - you crank the engine with a little prime and then turn on the ignition about the 5-10 revolution.
In my VW , I wait until the oil light goes out and light the fire.

For the MSD, clarify if the retard is crank degrees or cam degrees depending on triggger location.
For airplanes with car conversions. I have used 10degrees distributor total advance. Resulting crank at about 6* and running at 26-28 lead over 2200rpm.
 
The MSD starter saver retards crank degrees.

Anytime the RPM drops below idle, about 800 RPM, it will go into the retard mode. It just connects between the distributor and the MSD box. It can't be used with points, you have to have some type of electronic type ignition. The two wires from the distributor or crank fire pick up, go to the starter saver. The out put of the starter saver is the single wire, that connects to the points type input to the MSD box.

It was originally designed for 8 cylinder application, so the timing specs listed on the instructions will double. But that should be OK. Just don't use the 20 deg retard option as the will double to 40 deg and that might be to much.... Using the 10 deg option, will give a 20 deg retard on a 4 cyl, which should be fine.

So the trick normally is to get it spinning then give it spark, that could work as well. But I might have to move a switch to make that work.
 
TED HEINRITZ":8buxz8q5 said:
So the trick normally is to get it spinning then give it spark, that could work as well. But I might have to move a switch to make that work.
Click to expand...
I have used that method for years. With points, crank trigger, and Electromotive systems.
Moving a switch is trivial. Adding a component whose failure will probably make you stop is risky.
Especially when there's a far simpler means of getting the job done.
Move the switch(es) so you can easily operate both with one hand, and go racing.
 
If anyone is wondering how this worked....

With the timing locked, it is easier to check the timing and easier to set it.

With the starter saver installed, it was almost impossible to start, and there was a missfire, and it would not rev to the upper limit.

Without the sarter saver, and the timing locked at full advance it is a little harder on the starter, but it starts right up and now no miss.


Technically the starter saver is a great idea, maybe on a 8 cyl it works fine, but it sure didn't work on my application.

MSD makes some great stuff, and this might work perfectly on some other applications.
 
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