glowing spark plug cables

[64 200 ranchero]

i never noticed it before but i put my msd box on a while ago and just noticed that in the dark i can see my cables glowing, so i put 8m accel cables on and they still glow, is that normal or do i need special cables to run with my setup, its a msd 6aln with a blaster coil and duraspark

 

[fordconvert]

You are going to make me go start my boat up at night and see if its glows also. Seems like I have had it running at night before but maybe still had a flashlight on. I assume to see this its got to be totally dark? I would assume its possible. Those things make a series of pretty hot sparks.

 

[rbohm]

8) sometimes you get st elmos fire around electrical wiring, especially when high voltages are running through them. it really depends on atmospheric conditions. what you are likely seeing is the active magnetic field that is generated when running voltage through a wire, thus the st elmos fire.

 

[64 200 ranchero]

ok so its not arcing out then,it sure looks cool

 

[Lazy JW]

High humidity makes it worse; if you think it's scary at idle you should see it under a heavy load 8)

 

[The Plankster Prankster]

a few times i've grabbed the plug wires on a running engine and been able to feel the "pulse" through them. should have checked them at midnight, might have glowed.
if youre concerned about them, it can't hurt to add a housing over each wire, like the ones over OEM wire harnesses, those corrugated plastic things. they can also extend the life of the wire in some cases by preventing abrasions

 

[fordconvert]

Sounds like what they need next is a MSDDD box and then we could just skip the wires all together, just let it arc from the coil right to the plug!

 

[Thad]

Not to panic, it's normal on high voltage ignitions. You can also see how magnetic induction can cause crossfire in plugs wire when touching. Just keep wires separated.