I grounded the motor real well but im still getting shocked when I try to adjust the timing. Also sometimes the car is having a real hard time starting like its not getting any spark. I pulled a sprark pluf and its getting spark when im trying to turn motor. then other times it fires right up like nothing. I dont see any dist cap cracks and the wires are fairly new, maybe 2 years old

 

the spark plugs do seeem dirty...rich

 

start it in a dark room or outside in low light look for sparks jumping around

 

yeah did you do the spray bottle test?

 

spray bottle?

 

you mist water and look for arcing

 

I don't ever grab the wires when adjusting timing, electricity will take the easiest path to ground, it takes quite a bit to jump a plug gap in a cylinder under compression.

Better wires might help, as would narrowing wide plug gaps. Even when everything is "perfect" grabbing the top of the cap is asking for trouble...