Shocked by Hei Distributor - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

kelz702 · 05-30-2020, 12:24 AM

Hello All! Hope everyone is well and safe. Earlier today I was attempting to set the timing on my HEI Distributor. The Distributor has an Accel In-cap Super Coil. I grabbed the distributor by the top to adjust the timing and got a pretty good shock!

This was my first tim trying to adjust the timing. Is it normal to get shocked if you grab a HEI distributor by the top? Maybe it's not grounded or hooked up correctly? Any advise would be appreciated!

**HO455** · 05-30-2020, 10:34 AM

Yep, had that happen numerous times over the years. Electricity takes the path of least resistance every time. I may still have the scar on the back of my head from that exact thing happening to me on my 1947 KB 5 International I drove in high school.

How old are your plug wires? As the wires age the insulation breaks down. Eventually they will get bad enough to start cross firing or jumping to ground. If it is dark you will see sparks coming off the wires.
If you touch a bad spot on a plug wire, and a good ground on the vehicle, your body could be less resistant to the flow of electrons than the plug wire connecting the spark plug and it's plug gap to ground.

kelz702 · 05-30-2020, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HO455

How old are your plug wires? As the wires age the insulation breaks down. Eventually they will get bad enough to start cross firing or jumping to ground. If it is dark you will see sparks coming off the wires.
If you touch a bad spot on a plug wire, and a good ground on the vehicle, your body could be less resistant to the flow of electrons than the plug wire connecting the spark plug and it's plug gap to ground.

Haha! It scared the crap out of me! The plug wires are probably 5 years old or so but I haven't put many miles on the truck sense they were installed. They look like they are in good shape but the insulation could be breaking down. It's very dry here in the desert. I guess I can fire up the truck tonight and see if I can spot any sparks.

toolboxchev · 05-30-2020, 01:59 PM

I have been using an Accel Super Coil for over 14 years, have not had that happen.

I would suggest to do the plug wires as soon as possible. Most likely the cause.

**Steeveedee** · 05-30-2020, 06:17 PM

Pop the wires off the cap one at a time and make sure that the clips on the wire are connecting to the cap electrodes. Do you have the locking ring that holds the wires down installed? Some people (including me) usually leave them off and the wires can pop loose if jostled enough.

hugger6933 · 05-30-2020, 08:58 PM

Yeah with old wires it is a given grab the lower next time but I bet you have figured that out. Last time I got bit it was with a MSD and a 6AL with blaster coil They hold spark like23 degrees of crank rotation. We are talking Christmas tree type light up.

05-30-2020, 12:24 AM	#1
kelz702 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: las vegas nevada Posts: 60	Shocked by Hei Distributor Hello All! Hope everyone is well and safe. Earlier today I was attempting to set the timing on my HEI Distributor. The Distributor has an Accel In-cap Super Coil. I grabbed the distributor by the top to adjust the timing and got a pretty good shock! This was my first tim trying to adjust the timing. Is it normal to get shocked if you grab a HEI distributor by the top? Maybe it's not grounded or hooked up correctly? Any advise would be appreciated!

05-30-2020, 10:34 AM	#2
HO455 Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 11,469	Re: Shocked by Hei Distributor Yep, had that happen numerous times over the years. Electricity takes the path of least resistance every time. I may still have the scar on the back of my head from that exact thing happening to me on my 1947 KB 5 International I drove in high school. How old are your plug wires? As the wires age the insulation breaks down. Eventually they will get bad enough to start cross firing or jumping to ground. If it is dark you will see sparks coming off the wires. If you touch a bad spot on a plug wire, and a good ground on the vehicle, your body could be less resistant to the flow of electrons than the plug wire connecting the spark plug and it's plug gap to ground. __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377

05-30-2020, 01:59 PM	#4
toolboxchev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: 2nd left past the stump on a dirt road. Posts: 2,629	Re: Shocked by Hei Distributor I have been using an Accel Super Coil for over 14 years, have not had that happen. I would suggest to do the plug wires as soon as possible. Most likely the cause.

05-30-2020, 06:17 PM	#5
Steeveedee Who Changed This? Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 10,789	Re: Shocked by Hei Distributor Pop the wires off the cap one at a time and make sure that the clips on the wire are connecting to the cap electrodes. Do you have the locking ring that holds the wires down installed? Some people (including me) usually leave them off and the wires can pop loose if jostled enough. __________________ ~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA

05-30-2020, 08:58 PM	#6
hugger6933 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Marianna Arkansas Posts: 7,280	Re: Shocked by Hei Distributor Yeah with old wires it is a given grab the lower next time but I bet you have figured that out. Last time I got bit it was with a MSD and a 6AL with blaster coil They hold spark like23 degrees of crank rotation. We are talking Christmas tree type light up.



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