Arching across coil terminals
 

Question, yesterday when I was putting my 80 SC back together (frequency valve, and wiring issues) I started the car up and it ran well, not great but just ok. I was about to adjust the timing however I placed my hand NEAR the coil and I received a violent shock!

I waited until nightfall as another post suggested and looked for arching, I in fact have blue sparks on both of the positive and negative coil posts, across the boot. It's actually a pretty loud snapping noise as a result.

So is this what happens when the coil fails? Or is it just a coil wire, in either case I have to order one or the other from our host, I just hate to keep throwing parts at this thing.

bad coil wire, bad plug connector causing the spark to take the path of least resistance (one of the coil terminals is grounded), dirt/moisture on the coil tower, could be a cracked coil snout, or internal corrosion in the snout too. and check the cap and rotor for cracks or burning.

Ok, just checked. Coil wire is fried, the metal piece at the end is cracked and tarnished, as are the other plug wires as well for #5 and #3. Coil looks intact after removal, snout does not sppear to be cracked at all. Thank's for the advice on the "path of least resistance" I know nothing when it comes to electrical. I will pop over to the catalog section and order up some new wires. Thanks.

also the word is arcing

if you search on arching you won't find relevant posts

check the female terminal on the coil carefully - stick an LED down there if you need to.

Arching or to arch as to "cross" IIIRC, in that the spark was jumping between both termianls an the cap. When Iwas thinking "arcing" I was thinkg to ground out to somehting. But I can see what you mean.