MSD 8982 instructions

Anybody got a set of wiring instructions for the 8982 start/retard control that they can e-mail to me? I went to MSD's site...instuctions not available, even in the obsolete stuff. Turns out that a hot sbc with locked timing wants to knock the starter off the block and he's tired of buying flexplates. Trying to fix this heap with a swap meet box for a friend. Shoot me a PM if you got 'em. Thanks, guys.

http://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/msd-8982/media/instructions

Here is a link to summit they have the pdf instructions there. I would also check the relationship of the starter to the flexplate the old chebby's had misalignment issues and liked to destroy flexplates, it may need to be shimmed differently like a diff with paint to see how the starter gear rides on the flexplate when engaged, remove the plugs when testing and it should not destroy the flexplate.

Yeah, we've been all through the usual Chevy starter alignment bullshyt. That's not an issue. The engine spins and starts great...when it's cold. When it's hot it kicks back like a sumbotch. Thanks for the link.

maverick wrote:Yeah, we've been all through the usual Chevy starter alignment bullshyt.  That's not an issue.  The engine spins and starts great...when it's cold.  When it's hot it kicks back like a sumbotch.  Thanks for the link.

Does it have a hi-torque starter on it? A buddy had a BBC that ate flexplates like crazy with a stock starter, pattern good cold, hi-torque starter worked better but still ate plates, eventually we elongated the starter holes to a pattern that was mid-to 3/4 way on the flexplate and cut drill bits as bolt locks to keep it in place, with the shallower depth it stopped eating flexplates, not the best engineering but effective and it worked famously. It appeared when it got hot the expansion was enough that when the bendix fired the gear it bottomed on the flexplate + a little and that was the cause of the destruction. GL is all I can offer with that chebby chit.

Sure enough. Like you, I've had all the normal fun associated with this bowtie bs, Starter alignment/engagement is now as good as it gets. Neither stock starter nor a high torque unit will keep it spinning when a plug fires. Tried the usual "crank with the ignition off, then light the fire" method with the same result. Lots of compression + lots of locked out timing + chevrolet starter = grief in the staging lanes. Just gonna wire in the box to retard 25* for starting.

All I got left is change it to a manual trans, buy food and bevies for the heaviest meat friendlies available and bump start the bowtie/rat biatch...or buy a Ford and instantly ignite in the staging lanes with the turn of a key or the push of a button

Ha. Yeh, I'd roll this heap downhill (not for starting, cuz it's a 'glide) but only if I could be sure it would never come back.

This is a 409" small block. For some reason they seem harder to crank than a big block. Honestly, we have 2 fat batteries in this thing, and it spins like a champ...but the first plug that fires will stop that spinning engine like a kick in the nuts stops everything.

You could try a shorter higher pressure bendix spring if it is stiff but not getting out of the way fast enough they may be fighting each other. ...or F*#k it grind a new cam and change the firing order

Bendix release is no issue. This is clearly a "timing for starting" deal.

And it's probably time to move this thread from the "stuff wanted" section into engine tech...or maybe make it a sticky for Bowtie lovers and haters.

As "fixed" as a SBC can be.

maverick wrote:Fixed.

Yall brake down and put a BBF in it

Sorry...I edited my last post.

How much total 38-40*...

You could have poured 1.6 Gallons of fuel into the carburetor, inserted coil wire into carb and turned key...problem solved

FalconEh wrote:How much total 38-40*...

You could have poured 1.6 Gallons of fuel into the carburetor, inserted coil wire into carb and turned key...problem solved

38*............and I think sbc's come with built in detonators.

Seems my statement was prophetic... The sbc grenaded tonight. Rods thru the pan.