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12-05-2009, 05:34 AM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Leicestershire,
UK
Cobra Make, Engine: Kirkham #523, 427 S/O
Posts: 1,137
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Not Ranked
Electric Shock
I checked and reset the ignition on my Cobra last weekend using a newly acquired timing light.
I checked it first to see if it needed adjusting and found it to be slightly advanced, so I stopped the engine and loosened the distributor clamp bolt and restarted it again. However, whenever I tried to move the distributor, I got a huge electric shock from it. 
I'm sure this shouldn't happen, what's wrong?
I have and MSD 6AL and an MSD Pro Billet distributor. Everything is clean and dry and in good condition and the distributor cap is brand new.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Paul |
12-05-2009, 05:52 AM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Virginia Beach, Va & Port Charlotte, Fl.,
Posts: 2,284
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Not Ranked
1. A plug wire could have been partially unplugged from the cap/spark plug and you became the new ground when you touched it.
2. The cap may have a crack in it .... and again you became the new ground.
3. (most likely) The plug wires are shot, full of resistance. You body now has less resistance than the wires and once again, you were the new ground.
Dave
__________________
Too many toys?? never!
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12-05-2009, 06:06 AM
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Half-Ass Member
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #732, 428FE (447 CID), TKO600, Solid Flat Tappet Cam, Tons of Aluminum
Posts: 22,004
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Not Ranked
Quote:
Originally Posted by FatBoy
I'm sure this shouldn't happen, what's wrong?
I have and MSD 6AL and an MSD Pro Billet distributor.
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I've had this happen to me to me for decades. I learned many, many years ago that when you adjust the timing it's best to put on one of those yellow Playtex gloves that your wife probably has under the kitchen sink. Even when your wires and cap are pristine, you can still get a nice shock from moving your distributor -- especially in the summer when your hand is covered in sweat and offers up a nice potential for all the juice that's flowing through there. Not having a vac. advance (like most of us) just makes it more likely to get a shock because you have to engulf your hand around the cap to move it. |
12-05-2009, 08:33 AM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: San Marcos california,
CA
Cobra Make, Engine: 1989 KCC from South Africa Right Hand Drive
Posts: 1,601
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Not Ranked
Ever charged a capacitor and thrown it to your buddy??
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12-05-2009, 08:48 AM
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Half-Ass Member
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #732, 428FE (447 CID), TKO600, Solid Flat Tappet Cam, Tons of Aluminum
Posts: 22,004
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Not Ranked
Quote:
Originally Posted by CHANMADD
Ever charged a capacitor and thrown it to your buddy??
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No, but I have been known to say "here, do me a favor and hold this wire while I crank it" just to make sure I had spark. I haven't done that in 30 years though, now it would probably cause a heart attack to some of us.  |
12-05-2009, 09:14 AM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Leicestershire,
UK
Cobra Make, Engine: Kirkham #523, 427 S/O
Posts: 1,137
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Not Ranked
Hi Patrick,
Everything appears to be in pristine condition and as I said, the cap is brand new, so I'm happy with your explanation.
Interestingly though, I didn't get a shock when I grabbed the distributor when I didn't have the timing light in my hand, so that may have been a factor. It was a new light, so I took that back to the shop this morning for a refund. 
Thanks,
Paul |
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