spark plug wires arcing

I have a 1973 4dr 302. I have the Pertronix Mod in the distributor, an accell coil, and new plugs, wires, cap, and rotor. The popping in the exhaust is still there. I noticed the spark plug wires are arcing to each other, and there seems to be arcing around the boots. Is there any way to fix this? I have tried rerouting the wires and using wire seperators, but nothing seems to work. It gave me a good numbing shock today.

What's the best way to route the wires on a 302? Also, what type of wires would best prevent this from happening?

I rebuilt the carb today and the car is idling great except for the popping in the exhaust.

Thanks in advance. Jonathan

 

If your wires are old, used and/or cracked replace them. This can also
happen when certain fluids, silicone, armor-all, water are on the wires.
Best routing is getting a good set of quality wires and installing them
correctly. Correctly meaning using separators and looms.

Seth

 

The wires are brand new. I live in Arkansas so there is always a lot of water in the air. I've been thinking of trying the looms and seperators that bolt to the valve cover. Has anyone had any luck with these?

Jonathan

 

i'd use the plastic ones and route them away from anything metal like the valve covers or those seperators that bolt to the valve cover. msd makes a nice set!

 

What kind of wires did you use? Wires shound not arc no matter where or how they are routed.

 

I bought some $30 wires from Oreilly Auto Parts. I'm thinking I should buy some better ones. What's the best kind to bet on a budget? Thanks,
Jonathan

 

Motorcraft plug wires are good.

 

new wires arching ? I live in Florida , on the coast an changed a p/u load of wires an never had new ones arc, I think you got some BAD NEW wires , get a name brand set Motorcraft , Napa

 

check the "ground strap" on the motor. any time i have wiring probs. it is a ground or lack of...frank...

 

Well, anyhow, if the wires/plugs are crossfiring that probably explains your popping through the exhaust. One or more plugs are firing when they aren't supposed to.

 

Make darn sure that your firing order is correct. New wires should not arc even if they are low quality. Something is wrong with them.

Seth

 

ok, I advanced the timing quite a bit today and it eliminated most of the popping in the exhaust.

On the firing order. I have it arranged 15426378. I advanced the timing until the vacuum advance was almost hitting the upper radiator hose. The car seems to be idling better, but the popping is very subdued, but still there.

I rerouted the plug wires and the arcing is gone, but I still have a light popping. Could it be the quality of the gas?

Thanks,
Jonathan

 

Are you using a timming light?

 

if you haven't had the dist. out ..then there must be something wrong with it to have to move it that much. check the plug wires again and make sure they are in the cap in the right order/direction and on the correct plug...frank...

 

I would still check all the grounds like already stated and I would certainly change those wires. If they were arcing the first time they are probably still arcing, just in places you can't see. Take a squirt bottle and mist down the engine while it's running and set back in a dark shop and watch the fireworks.
clint