found it using the spray bottle in the dark; #8 plug is arcing from the boot to the block down the side of the plug... hope its the plug and not the wire

 

most likely a crack in the ceramic insulator on the plug.

 

it was cracked. replced all my plugs while down there and the starter removed, but rounded off the O2 on the passenger side. my torch wouldnt reach in there to heat it up. just glad i didnt cut the wires or damage it, because the car runs great now...