While the starter is cranking on my 455, sparks nicely illumincate my engine compartment. They're coming from the shift linkage! I thought this was happening due to poor electrical grounding of the engine. My battery is in the trunk, negative post is connected to the frame of the car in back. I added a large wire (as a temporary "fix" to try and isolate the problem) from the exhaust manifold to a fender bolt in attempt to provide a better engine ground. It's bolted down tight and I measure 0 Ohms between engine block and frame. Still sparks when cranking. Why? I started an anfortunate fire a couple weeks ago when a rebuilt carb I put on had a stuck float and spilled gas all over and POOF! :jd: Nice fire! I extinguished it in a few seconds (I knew that fire extinguisher on the garage wall would someday come in handy!). Carb is fixed, so it doesn't start fires anymore, but I fear I'll damage my shift linkage or worse, such as internals of the tranny. Any ideas? If I mount the battery in the front again (like I think I should do), where does ground wire attach? I assume on the block somewhere?
Check the wires comming off the starter... They may be grounding on the starter heat shield. It makes for an nice fireworks show. Michael
