Distributor shocks me when adjusting timing

[Kevin]

I just rebuilt this engine and did cam break in yesterday. When I was trying to turn the distributor to adjust timing, it kept shocking me.

Also heard ticking/popping noise when I hit the throttle, like the wires are arcing or something… each plug wire is individually wrapped in loom, so they aren’t touching, but still close enough to arc I guess.

It’s got brand new cap & rotor and brand new spark wires, new battery -engine ground… But I was kind of concerned about the engine-chassis ground strap (probably the original 18 year old strap).

Anybody have any ideas?
Think it’s a grounding issue?
Or could it possibly have something to do with the coil?

Someone mentioned that it could have something to do with crankshaft position sensor, or possibly distributor a tooth or 2 off… But I don’t quite understand how that could b the issue.

Any help is appreciated!

1995 f150 5.0l v8
200k miles on body.
0 miles on rebuilt engine

Topic

[Kevin]

I thought I should mention… It has check engine light on… I don’t know if it’s related to my issue.

I did initial break in, but still need to fine tune with timing light before taking it for a spin. Therefore, I haven’t been able to take it to diagnose check engine light.

I may just break down and buy obd 1 from autozone for $25. I have an obd 2 but doesn’t help much since this is a 1995 pickup

[Dustin Hicks]

Always troubleshoot the check engine code FIRST! Go ahead and pop for the OBDI reader, it will be useful.

I would replace the engine ground strap just because, as an electronics tech, I wouldn’t trust a ground that old in that environment. Or do a voltage drop across the strap (resistance checks are useless for this). If the drop is 0.2V or more, replace the strap. Remember that electricity is ‘lazy’ and wants to take the easiest path it can. If the strap’s resistance has increased over the years, other paths may be easiest (including through you!)

A bad crankshaft position sensor, or possibly distributor a tooth off will cause the engine to run rough or possibly not start. You didn’t mention these happening so I kinda doubt that’s happening.

[college man]

Try running the car in a dark place to find
the light show. also post the code when you can.

[Kevin]

Yeah that’s a good idea for finding voltage leak… Hell of a lot better than Shocking the crap out of myself.

I think I’ll go ahead and pop on the obd1… And for $7, might as well replace the ground strap regardless.

I kind of expected the engine light because I had to take off the whatchamacallit that carries air from air cleaner to throttle body (so I could reach the distributor easily while working the throttle)… Therefore the MAF sensor wouldn’t have detected air flow. But that doesn’t mean theres not another code tripping as well.

I have a busy work schedule this week so I can’t get to it until this weekend, but I’ll do the ground strap, run the obd1 this weekend and post my findings. If there’s not anything too crazy tripping the engine light I’ll do the voltage leak check in the dark… Just gotta get my hands on some techno music and ecstasy first… Lol

Anyway, thanks for the help, I’ll let you know how it turns out.

Btw…the engine sounded good during cam break in… A tad rough idle but I still haven’t taken the timing light To it and hard to do adjust perfectly by ear when it keeps shocking the crap out of me

[Kevin]

Fixed the ground today. Went crazy and put a bunch in. I no longer get shocked so I guess that fixed it. No more check engine light either. Thanks for the help

[college man]

Glad it worked out.Thanks for the update. 😉

[EricTheCarGuy]

I thought you were on to something with that ground strap. The reason you were getting shocked is because YOU were the ground path. Glad you found it. Thanks for posting your fix and for using the ETCG forum.

[Author]

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