Setting timing, worried about not hearing pinging

[Psydwaze]

I have a 6psi supercharger and timing is currently at 10 degrees. I've set it 12 degrees and it made more power on the dyno but I've since had a leaky head gasket. I'm not sure if it was too much timing or not letting the engine warm up fully before beating on it that caused the leak. I'd like to bump it up a little more but I'm worried that if it starts pinging I won't hear it over my exhaust.

Can you always hear pinging over the exhaust?

If you can't hear the pinging how can you tell if you have set the timing too far advanced?

 

[stangnutlx]

go until youhear pinging then just back it off 2 degrees

i run 18* initial all the time with no problems but once i hit 20 its pings

 

[srothfuss]

Aluminum heads will be good around 14 degrees and above without any issues. You will hear the pinging under load on a test drive around the block... Just step it up a degree or two and take it for a drive. If you don't hear any noises, try 2 more degrees. Once you hear the ping, back it off a little and you are done.

 

[2002BLGT]

I have a 6psi supercharger and timing is currently at 10 degrees. I've set it 12 degrees and it made more power on the dyno but I've since had a leaky head gasket. I'm not sure if it was too much timing or not letting the engine warm up fully before beating on it that caused the leak. I'd like to bump it up a little more but I'm worried that if it starts pinging I won't hear it over my exhaust.

Can you always hear pinging over the exhaust?

If you can't hear the pinging how can you tell if you have set the timing too far advanced?

most stangs run good on 36-38 degrees total , so given that fact and the theory of taking out 1 degree at a minimum per pound of boost , then you dont want anymore than about 30 degrees total which on most mustangs would be about 10 degrees max ......because most will advance 19-21 degrees from initial .....so there ya go .....If I were you I would put it back together and put a msd BTM on it ......

 

[2002BLGT]

UMMMM hes got a supercharger !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[srothfuss]

I missed that part...