'95 LT1 spark jumping from distributor

[dahirolla]

I have a '95 Corvette that has a spark jumping from a boot to the engine block. It is the line coming from the coil, but is jumping from the middle of the distributor side boot. There was a hole burned in the old wire/boot, and now it's starting to burn a hole in the new wire we've installed.

It also seems the spark is responsible for a ticking sound when the engine is running. The faster the engine turns, the faster it clicks.

Any ideas? What could make a spark jump through so much insulation?

Thanks!

[Will Help]

Might need to change the cap. Sounds like a possible crack/carbon track up the terminal to the boot area. That problem will not go away till you change the cap. Also should use 8mm wires and silicon boot grease to help seal boots.

[dahirolla]

Thanks for the quick reply!

Sorry, neglected to say that this is a new distributor and new cap. Also, all new spark plugs and wires.

This problem was happening with the old equipment too, so unless something is wrong with the new distributor cap, I'm inclined to think it might be something else causing the problem, agreed?

We did not use boot grease, and I'm not sure what the thickness of the wires is. I'll see if I can find out.

[Will Help]

I know that, with any hot ignition, you need a good high performance cap and rotor with brass contacts.The cheaper ones with aluminum contacts cannot handle high voltage very well. Also it was a 454 I had just tuned up and put a high end set of silicon 7mm wires. I fired the engine up and drove it about 2 miles when it started misfiring. Got home and opened the hood. It sounded like fireworks going off with sparks jumping everywhere. Went to 8mm wires and had no more problems.

[dahirolla]

Autozone and the local dealer didn't have the 8mm wires, but we were able to get some boot grease.

Any idea where we might find the 8mm plug wires? I'm surprised they weren't widely available around Tulsa, Ok.

Thanks again for the reply.

[Will Help]

Any auto parts that handle performance parts like Mallory or Accell should have them in these product lines. They won't find them in the standard line products. They might have just forgot that they have these other lines available to them. Look for a speed shop or go on line to Summit Racing, Accell or Mallory. They will be glad to help you.

Try Advance Auto Parts or O'Reily also.

[dahirolla]

Thanks. We'll try that and let you know if it fixes the problem. Thank you for your assistance.

[dahirolla]

Ok...haven't tried new plug wires yet, but I did find out that the distributor system is stock, and the new plug wires are factory spec.

Is the factory spec deficient?

From the rhythmic nature of the short, I'm guessing that it's only shorting when it fires a particular cylinder. Any idea what would make it easier to jump through the boot and the wire insulation rather than fire the spark plug?

Am I way off base?

[rhandwor]

Open the hood after dark and you might be able to see the problem. Not all wires and distributor caps are good.

[Blue Bowtie]

"Factory Spec" doesn't mean OEM quality. An aftermarket part calling itself "factory spec" doesn't really mean much other than that the seller has a good marketing department.

Install Packard wires and don't worry about it for another 100K miles.

As for the shunting of spark, take a very close look at the Opti cap to determine if there are any cracks, carbon streaks, or porosity. As previously advised, the nighttime viewing can provide some really good indications of problem areas.

[Schrade]

I'm thinkin' heavier guage wires too.

The cylinder itself would have nothing to do with the errant spark. UNLESS, the plug itself is not in good contact with the block somehow.

[dahirolla]

Welp, time to 'fess up. One of the plug wires was disconnected from a spark plug.

Aaaaallllways check the obvious/easy first.