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Getting rid of a mild ping

  • Thread starter Thread starter SadbutTrue
  • Start date Start date Jun 18, 2004

SadbutTrue

Founding Member
May 1, 2002
2,390
4
49
Granada Hills, California
Jun 18, 2004
#1
  • Jun 18, 2004
  • #1
Going up a steep hill or whenever I hit the throttle, my engine starts pinging. I believe it started roughly the same time I put my MSD in, so I'm going to gap the spark plugs more (already put them to .045", but I've been todl to go to .055"). I plan on retiming it, though its currenlty only set at 12 degrees BTDC. Also going to get a pertronix ignition setup and then move up to 91 octane if I need to (already running 89, which from my point of view should not be needed as it is). Any other ideas?

For reference, it has stock compression (I believe 9.5:1, unless I got lucky).
 

mustang70

Founding Member
Nov 15, 2001
2,445
2
48
San Diego
Jun 18, 2004
#2
  • Jun 18, 2004
  • #2
What's your total timing? I was at 12* base timing and around 34* total and didn't have any problems when I ran 91 octane. That's with 9.5:1 compression. Something else, if your engine starts to heat up going over the hill it'll cause it to ping.
 

SadbutTrue

Founding Member
May 1, 2002
2,390
4
49
Granada Hills, California
Jun 19, 2004
#3
  • Jun 19, 2004
  • #3
it may just be then that I need 91 octane, since i have yet to try that. we shall see.
 

rbohm

Founding Member
Apr 12, 2002
6,698
550
204
tucson,az
Jun 19, 2004
#4
  • Jun 19, 2004
  • #4
keep your plug gaps at .045, and back your initial timing down to 10 degrees. that should cure your ping.
 

2nd Mustang

Founding Member
Feb 24, 2002
2,488
0
46
Southern California
Jun 19, 2004
#5
  • Jun 19, 2004
  • #5
My 302 is set at 18 degrees. It can run 87, but I do run 91 as there is a little more "pep" with the higher octane.
 

Hack

15 Year Member
Mar 23, 2004
1,945
13
69
Minneapolis
Jun 19, 2004
#6
  • Jun 19, 2004
  • #6
2nd Mustang said:
My 302 is set at 18 degrees. It can run 87, but I do run 91 as there is a little more "pep" with the higher octane.
Click to expand...
Sorry, but it's your imagination. Higher octane doesn't give you more power, unless there's detonation at the lower octane that you aren't hearing.
 
D

D.Hearne

New Member
Sep 29, 2000
11,730
6
0
south louisiana
Jun 19, 2004
#7
  • Jun 19, 2004
  • #7
SadbutTrue said:
Going up a steep hill or whenever I hit the throttle, my engine starts pinging. I believe it started roughly the same time I put my MSD in, so I'm going to gap the spark plugs more (already put them to .045", but I've been todl to go to .055"). I plan on retiming it, though its currenlty only set at 12 degrees BTDC. Also going to get a pertronix ignition setup and then move up to 91 octane if I need to (already running 89, which from my point of view should not be needed as it is). Any other ideas?

For reference, it has stock compression (I believe 9.5:1, unless I got lucky).
Click to expand...
If you're running a stock cam in that 351, then your timing's too far advanced for 89 octane gas and 9.5 to 1 compression. A larger than stock cam will allow you to run that octane with that compression with that much timing.
 
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