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Author
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Topic: Plug Wires Arcing
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gunrocker
Gearhead Posts: 473
From: Colliers, WV,USA
Registered: Mar 2004
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posted 09-21-2004 11:22 AM
  
Posted this on the Racing forum too, but no one answered.  I just got done throwing my 3:70 Traction Lock in the Falcon and put in a Duraspark with MSD6 and Blaster 2 coil. I noticed a slight intermittent miss and ticking noise, so I waited until dark and fired it up...looked like a lightning storm under the hood...arcing from each boot and everywhere a wire was touching or near a valve cover!
I changed plug wires from 8mm Taylors to Ford Racing 9mm, put dielectric grease on each boot, and went with a wide MSD dizzy cap, and am using Autolite 45's gapped at .040...STILL arcing (maybe not as strong though)...but NO MISS now! My question is...is the arcing normal because of the increased juice going through the ignition, and maybe cannot be stopped...or any suggestions? 69Maverick...maybe you can answer this one! 
Thanks ...gr
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69maverick
Moderator Posts: 1455
From: Thomaston,CT.
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 09-21-2004 07:03 PM
I would love to be able to say Oh ya just do this or that but I don't think this is going to be that easy! Considering I know the Ignition Box and coil and wiring setup because I did it,I know you did it right.
I would check the ground on the MSD box and make sure you have a good ground strap on the motor to the Chassis. Then all the wire have to be as isolated as possible. Meaning they should not touch each other or anything on the motor. Did you use the MSD mounting rubber things on the box?Is the motor running normal now? if so I would bet its a ground problem.
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gunrocker
Gearhead Posts: 473
From: Colliers, WV,USA
Registered: Mar 2004
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posted 09-21-2004 09:11 PM
Jim...I'm going to isolate the wires...I do have it in looms, but not enough to stop them from touching. I have more so I'll put them on too. I used rubber washers on the screws to mount the box...maybe I need thicker ones, and I'll go over the ground too.The car is running good and strong...still, must be a ground. Might call MSD just in case...Let you know what I find out! [This message has been edited by gunrocker (edited 09-22-2004).]
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69maverick
Moderator Posts: 1455
From: Thomaston,CT.
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 09-22-2004 06:18 AM
The reason I asked about the mounts is that the mount that they give you has a screw that goes in on each end insolated by rubber. If you use a rubber washer with a long bolt it would not be isolated from the body. Now I'm not even sure that matters but I didn't have this happen on my motor with those parts so I have to think of what is different?
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gunrocker
Gearhead Posts: 473
From: Colliers, WV,USA
Registered: Mar 2004
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posted 09-22-2004 10:52 AM
quote:
Originally posted by 69maverick:
The reason I asked about the mounts is that the mount that they give you has a screw that goes in on each end insolated by rubber. If you use a rubber washer with a long bolt it would not be isolated from the body. Now I'm not even sure that matters but I didn't have this happen on my motor with those parts so I have to think of what is different?
Jim...you are right...what I did wouldn't isolate it!!! Going to change that this evening and see what happens.
I'll keep you clued in.
[This message has been edited by gunrocker (edited 09-22-2004).]
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69maverick
Moderator Posts: 1455
From: Thomaston,CT.
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 09-22-2004 07:35 PM
Make sure that large black wire from MSD box is clean and making good contact.I used a wire loom setup from a company called Smothie they really hold the wires in place.
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gunrocker
Gearhead Posts: 473
From: Colliers, WV,USA
Registered: Mar 2004
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posted 09-23-2004 12:10 AM
I'll check out all the connections to make sure they're making good contact.I'm grounding off the negative side of the battery and am going to recheck to make sure it's making good contact there also. I added more looms and wire holders today...Ford Motorsports one's that I used to have on our Mach 1 and it is helping some, but not totally. All in all (beside the slight arcing now only at the boots) the car is running GREAT though! Starts much easier and quicker, no miss holding on a steady speed like it used to...and really is so much quicker with the 3:70's off the line (although I miss the neck snapping of the 4:57's I had in my old 289 Mustang!). Second gear now feels like first gear before I changed gears!  [This message has been edited by gunrocker (edited 09-23-2004).]
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69maverick
Moderator Posts: 1455
From: Thomaston,CT.
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 09-23-2004 06:28 AM
I had that wire grounded to the motor! I don't know if it makes any difference?
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gunrocker
Gearhead Posts: 473
From: Colliers, WV,USA
Registered: Mar 2004
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posted 09-23-2004 09:40 AM
quote:
Originally posted by 69maverick:
I had that wire grounded to the motor! I don't know if it makes any difference?
Hmmmmm...something to check out too.
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69maverick
Moderator Posts: 1455
From: Thomaston,CT.
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 09-28-2004 05:46 PM
So GR hows it coming?
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gunrocker
Gearhead Posts: 473
From: Colliers, WV,USA
Registered: Mar 2004
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posted 09-29-2004 02:37 PM
Jim...rewired the ground to the block yesterday afternoon but didn't get a chance to take it out (rain) or start it up in the dark. I also put more looms on to move all the wires away from touching any metal parts. Going to take it out right now and see how it runs...and will fire it up in the dark tonight.Keep you tuned in tonight! Never did get an email back from MSD yet!
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gunrocker
Gearhead Posts: 473
From: Colliers, WV,USA
Registered: Mar 2004
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posted 09-29-2004 10:58 PM
Well Jim...Think it's been solved!Went down in the garage and fired it up tonight...no arcing! I think between the better ground and adding more looms to keep the wires away did it! YAY!!! Thanks for all the help and suggestions! ...gr
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69maverick
Moderator Posts: 1455
From: Thomaston,CT.
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 09-30-2004 06:19 AM
Very  !
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