If you recall the other day I was driving my car and I heard something unusual. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but it was a ticking or rattling sound. Sounded like it was coming from down by the trans inspection cover. Today I crawled under the car and shook everything/tapped/looked/etc. I found the exhaust was a little loose so I tightened every bolt. Started it up and popped the hood and there was still a distinct new "ticking" noise. Like roller rockers or injectors, but sounded louder. Seemed to increase slightly with rpm. I swore it was coming from either the rear d/s valve cover or the distributor. I was worried I floated a valve the other day and broke something or my freshly rebuilt distributor was giving me problems. I took out the mechanic's stethoscope but couldn't narrow it down. Took it for a test drive, ran well, no apparent problems. Pulled in the drive and popped the hood in the dark. This is where I found it. My #3 plug wire was lighting up like a neon snake. I've never seen it before. From the cap to the plug, there were pulses of light on the outside of the wire. Weirdest thing I've ever seen. And every time it fired, there was a ticking (grounding???) noise. I lifted the wire (with a wood stick) off the vc but it kept doing it.

I currently have the wires running behind the dizzy and never thought twice about it. But I recently read you should *not* run the #2 and #3 wire to the rear of the distributor. Apparently it can cause wiring problems.

Tomorrow I will pull off the wire and inspect it for cracking/chafing. There are less than 3000 miles on the wires. No other wires seemed to be illuminated. I will then reroute the correct way. I might see about getting some better looms than just zip ties, but the looms I like are expensive for what they are. Oh well.

Hope this solves my mystery ticking!

Here is a FSM schematic, BTW:



Matthew

Good find! yea the sound of arcing almost sounds like a click, tap, snap ect..

Wacky - glad you found it!

I need to check mine good too.

great find!!!

Glad to hear it was something simple this time. I'll have to remember this one, when people talk about weird noises, this one is certainly a tough find, respect!

I'm also going to ohm the wire when I pull it off. I don't know if internally the wire may be cracked/damaged with no exterior signs. Or perhaps the ends that connect to the plug/dizzy have come loose. It was certainly a new one to me.

My FSM shows the same thing but it didn't come that way from the factory. Wires #1,2 and 3 went behind the dist. Here's a pic, not mine but wired the same.

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Quick update on this. Went out this morning to work on the car. Couldn't get it to visibly arc again but still making noise. Went to pull the wire off and it wasn't snapped on the plug! Must not have had a good connection before and it popped off. Moved the wires from behind the dizzy anyway. Reseated the wire on the plug firmly and voila it was fixed, no more noise.

I also changed another spring in the governor and car is running great!

Matthew

Hurry go drive it and enjoy it.........

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Drove it all morning to run some errands....beat on it good and it responded well. New spring set up in the trans governor seems to be working the best so far. I still have to do some standing 1/4 mile WOT bursts to check it, but the street time was fun

Awesome glad to hear it.. now hoping to see if that corvette club is going to do the corvette shoot out or not this year.. trailer is empty!

Matt, I have had #2 and #3 behind dizzy for years without a problem as there is little room with miniram in front, makes me wonder why FSM says this. Maybe someday I'll find out the hard way. Went to last T&T at 66 Sat. ran a best ever 11.47 119 mph 1.68 60 ft.. I plan on hitting GLD soon and see if cool Wisc. air will give me more. Let me know if you plan to go and I'll do same.

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Holy cow!

I think I found a better trans governor setup with a few different springs and weights than before that I'd like to try out. I think that was my problem. Send me a message when you're going and if I'm not working I might be able to make it

I recommend the left lane at GLD for a better launch.

Hence the title "Corvette Guru". Nice find Matt!

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You interested if we can make a night out of it? I'll see if Rick wants to go, too.

Matthew

Interested yes, but I'm taking a spin to Bowling Green in a couple weeks so kind of chicken beating on the car before the trip. Wed. is a good combo of track prep and not so crowded.
Long pants required.

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Not a question of if I want to go.. more am I available to go... week nights are tough because of getting out of work late.. but let me know anyway..

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oh wow that is clean. i will have to change my wires the same I think. if I can get em to fit... I am missing a loom though to do it.