Okay bear with me, my first post. I just finished installing a 289 into my 68 mustang. Mostly new parts but i kept the ignition off of the old engine, not sure how old it was. I can get it running, well idling at least. When i go to take off it bogs down and then i get some carb backfires. I have checked my timing and i am sitting right at ~8. I was just adjusting the mixture screws on my carb when i got one hell of a shock I wasnt touching anything but the carb! What would cause that!? And how bad is that?? I noticed a wire sitting on the rear of the intake that was shorting out causing some small sparks but when i traced it out it was just a frame ground, should that be connected?? Anyone??

Heres what i have on the engine

Edelbrock 600 carb
Edelbrock Performer intake
MSD ignition (off the old motor)
Stock Dizzy
MSD coil (off the old engine)

 

your ground is alive, check it and trace it, ill bet you have a live wire touching it some where or a REALLY bad ground.

 

Getting shocked by eletricity is brain food.


Sounds like you have something crossed. You should not be getting sparks from your ground wire. Especially enough to knock you stiff.

 

Bad ground and bad ignition wires is my guess. The ignition wire is arcing to the block and then through the wire to ground. The ignition is probably the only source of thay high enough voltage to spark and shock you like that.

Rubber mounts and a lack of good chassis ground is forcing the voltage to use whatever path it can find.... Like YOU!!

 

"The ignition is probably the only source of thay high enough voltage to spark and shock you like that. "

Not necessarily. Years ago my 1980 Trans Am needed a new alternator and I was in a big hurry to get it changed out before leaving for work. In my rush I forgot to disconnect the battery and it really woke me up when I started to loosen the wires on the back of it and grounded it out to the block...got a nice shock from that one sparks and all.

 

i have 2 pints on one or more of your spark plug leads is crap. when you get near it you'll get a shock. if you are not near it it probably jumps to the engine block and from there to your ground wire.
fully agreed, the only thing that can give you a shock like that is static energy released from your ignition system (after coil). The only other thing tat can happen is that you loaded yourself with static energy while shuffling on a carpet or moving around in carseats etc. but ignition is one hell of a different ballpark in the ouch category. Be careful to not shock yourself again!

Kalli