My buddy has a wierd problem with his 89 formula. All his wires will generate a spark that jumps from the tip of the wire to the block. Its a contant electrical surge. He has tried different plugs and different wires along with a new MSD dist. He is running the MSD 6AL if that matters. what causes this

 

Is this a spark jumping and arcing or a glowing halo around the end of the boot. If is the halo around the end of the boot it is sort of normal. All msd systems seem to generate this. It is usually only visable at night in the dark.

 

he says it is a constant arching or electricity from the wire to the block. He also siad that he canot keep wires on the car for a long time. they get hard and briddle and fal apart. He always puts MSD wires on it

 

Sounds like the wires are getting header burned. This makes them very brittle,crack and then leak spark. This is real common on the f-bodies. Put a new set of wires,use dielectric grease on all connections and do whatever nescessary to get wires at least 1 inch away from manifold (or header) tubes.

 

it happens with a brand new set of wires.

 

Wow! That shoots down my theory! I would still try the di-electric grease. Seals the boot to the plug very well. Helps to keep the spark in and water out. Also lets the boot pull off easily after many months or years.