Start retard and cranking.

For those of you that have a start retard, Do you leave the ignition off and let the engine spin over fast before you flip the ignition on? Or do you crank it as normal?

I just crank it.

We spin it over first but that is only because we run efi and a mechanical pump and it is just easier to tune for startup.

turn ign on , hit starter, vroooom

I have a start retard (actually 2) for sale.................

I'm running a digital 6 box, using the start retard. I have been leaving the fire off until it was spinning good and then turn the fire on and it would occasionally kick back pretty hard. Now I'm just cranking normally. It cranks a lot easier. I'm just wondering if its a fluke.

When I ran a locked MSD dizzy w a start retard I took a couple starter drive out until I phased the rotor..................Lem likes to put the light springs in um.

how much retard do the starter retards have? 10*? i use the box i had nos hooked up on and it retards 20*for the starter and makes cold start a pain!

Mine kicks back pretty hard too w/crank trigger. I'm like Lem,I prefer the light springs also.

I use the 10*..........check the rotor phase.......

My Mallory takes 20 out up to 100 rpm, then 15 till 500 then none after 500, I don't have kickback at 16/1.

cool40 wrote:how much retard do the starter retards have? 10*? i use the box i had nos hooked up on and it retards 20*for the starter and makes cold start a pain!

How much retard does a retard tard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Sorry I just couldn't resist.

richter69 wrote:I use the 10*..........check the rotor phase.......

What is rotor phase and how do you check it ?

Cut a hole in a cap at #1 spark plug and when you put a timing light on the hole it will flash as the terminal is in line w/hole.

cool40 wrote:how much retard do the starter retards have? 10*? i use the box i had nos hooked up on and it retards 20*for the starter and makes cold start a pain!

The Digital 6 Plus has a 20* start retard. With my old 521, I was only running a stock Carquest Ford starter at 14.5:1. I put it on there used from my daily driver and ran it for 3 seasons... Never had an issue. My dizzy was locked out @ 32*.

i dont have a crank trigger so........my starter turns kinda slow to so that dont help with 20*retard.it starts fine after the first time,just squirt it with the gas can.

We run a Digital 7 with 10* start retard. Leave ignition on and crank it over. Meziere starter doesnt really mind...its a badass piece.