LS5 Braided spark wires
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 82
LS5 Braided spark wires
I’ve noticed some voltage when I touch the left bank spark plug wires (braided) on my 1971 LS5. I get this on the 1 3 5 7 wires but not the right bank. The voltage cant be felt when the braided part is grounded into the valve cover bolts. Is this normal? The electrical system and distributor are all stock. The spark plug wires are new.
KC
KC
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 417
Likes: 40
From: Swansea IL
I can’t tell u I have experienced the shock touching the braiding on the wires.
The reason the braid is on these wires is to ground the induced current generated by the high voltage heading to the plugs.
Check to see that the braid is grounded. There are ground terminals on both ends of each plug wire.
It could be insulation on the inner wire is bad and allowing the voltage to ground thru the braiding.
Run the engine at night and watch in the engine bay for electrical arcing. There should be none.
Arcing = Buying new wires
The reason the braid is on these wires is to ground the induced current generated by the high voltage heading to the plugs.
Check to see that the braid is grounded. There are ground terminals on both ends of each plug wire.
It could be insulation on the inner wire is bad and allowing the voltage to ground thru the braiding.
Run the engine at night and watch in the engine bay for electrical arcing. There should be none.
Arcing = Buying new wires
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 82
I can’t tell u I have experienced the shock touching the braiding on the wires.
The reason the braid is on these wires is to ground the induced current generated by the high voltage heading to the plugs.
Check to see that the braid is grounded. There are ground terminals on both ends of each plug wire.
It could be insulation on the inner wire is bad and allowing the voltage to ground thru the braiding.
Run the engine at night and watch in the engine bay for electrical arcing. There should be none.
Arcing = Buying new wires
The reason the braid is on these wires is to ground the induced current generated by the high voltage heading to the plugs.
Check to see that the braid is grounded. There are ground terminals on both ends of each plug wire.
It could be insulation on the inner wire is bad and allowing the voltage to ground thru the braiding.
Run the engine at night and watch in the engine bay for electrical arcing. There should be none.
Arcing = Buying new wires
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,759
Likes: 1,647
From: Fairfax Virginia
Maybe that is why they want each of the spark plug wires shielding grounded. I used the reproduction wires and they didn't last very long and started to look like poop due to discoloration of the shielding.
I had better experiences with the MSD 8.5 mm Super Conductors as they would last a few seasons before deteriorating.
My engine does not have any of the shielding on it because of the hood I have. Even without any shielding there is no electrical noise as my Holley EFI system would let me know if it heard any.
I had better experiences with the MSD 8.5 mm Super Conductors as they would last a few seasons before deteriorating.
My engine does not have any of the shielding on it because of the hood I have. Even without any shielding there is no electrical noise as my Holley EFI system would let me know if it heard any.
