Crank Trigger
 

Anyone running a Crank trigger setup?

Had a billet MSD distributor in a custom 540. Locked the timing out @34. Digital 6plus box retarding the timing 20 @ start. Every once in a while I would hear the dreaded “grinding” of the starter and flywheel. Not often. Random. Sometimes it would go 2 months without happening. Then last year, broke a starter bolt and crapped the flywheel. Out came the motor.. All was fixed..
Called MSD they said to get a “Cap-A-Dapt” and run a Ford cap and a Crank Trigger. So far all is running well and I have not heard the grinding sound again.

Just curious if others have gone through this. And if you are going through the same situation, the crank trigger and Cap-A-Dapt have worked for me so far

John

I have ran that set up without any issues. Maybe 200 hours. Ran out of room where the trigger was located so went back to the dist trigger with the cap adapt etc.. No problems.

I was wondering about the long term use.. How they would hold up in a marine world.. Not sure if I notice a difference running, but as long as I don't hear the grinding of the starter I feel better.

Anyone else running a Crank Trigger?

Update

Installed the crank trigger and the new billet distributor.. Along with the MSD Cap-A-Dapt. Works well.
However, the grinding noise from the starter reappeared this weekend..Only happen once, and never again.. (about 20 key turns since).
What could be causing this? This is starter #3. It is an Arco gear reduction starter.. Perhaps the starter itself is wearing down, causing it to no engage? I am out of ideas..

My next move to try a different starter.. if so, anyone using a tilton? MSD makes one.. Also CVR does..
Ideas? Suggestions..

We use Tilton ,but whats your Ring gear on the flywheel look like ???? may have a bad spot on it :ernaehrung004:

Had it replaced last year.. in Sep.. and put on 3rd starter then.. Worked good up till this past Sunday.. Still works after the grinding.. but I know it will get worse and worse..

Have you checked clearances of the starter gear to flywheel engagement? Sometimes that needs to be adjusted with shims or milling the mating surface. Recommended clearances should come from the starter manufacturer.

To be honest, I did not.. I have called Arco several times and motioned it.. they said it would not have lasted as long as it has if it were a shim issue.. they also said rarely have they had to shim that type of starter on a motor like mine. Their starter will work, sometimes for 3 or 4 months.. then the grinding starts.. and gets worse.. been driving me nuts for years!!! Only issue with this motor left to work out..

Could the ignition key be at fault? Perhaps not “always” giving 12volts to the solenoid?

I am leaning toward an MSD starter.. Called Teague earlier today.. they said that is the starter they use on their motors..

Have'nt had to shim these starters ,but you make a good point with the power and if the selonoid is'nt kickin the worm drive out enuf ... order a high torque from Jegs or Summit and save yours for a spare ...

Thanks.. just orders an MSD starter..
I assume a Merlin BB has cross mount and staggered mount holes for a starter? Also looks to be a pain in the a$$ to check clearance while in the boat.. How "exact" does one need to be???

I agree that it does sound like it is related to a variation in voltage. Low voltage can effect how fast/hard the starter bendix kicks out the pinion gear to mesh with the flywheel. When it grinds it is spinning too fast before engaging. Maybe this type of starter is sensative to that. I have had good luck with Tilton starters, and this was on a 14 to 1 compression bbc alcohol engine!:drink:

On second thought, I would not rule out gear mesh as a contributor. There is always a slight amount of runout on a flywheel gear. If the clearance is on the tight side the grinding could be intermittent, depending where the flywheel stopped when you shut off the engine. Installing a starter shim will provide a little additional clearance and is a cheap solution to test. Good luck!

The MSN starter will be here by tomorrow.. I will shim it as best I can.. after 3 Arco starters, crank trigger new dist ring gear ect I figured it would be worth trying a totally new starter type/kind.. I hear these type of starters will spin faster which in turn helps the motor start faster and also use a bit less current.. Win Win.. as long as they are reliable. I will try replacing the key also.. Any ideas where to get one??