Timing problem?

Trick98GT

New Member
Jan 9, 2003
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Pensacola, FL
On my old 98 motor, i started having problems starting it after i had a spark plug blow out on me. It used to start right up, and now it takes 2-3 cranks to get her running. Since then, i've swapped engines to a 99 4.6 and it does the same thing.
Also when i run 87 or 89 octane, it detonates a little bit. Not much, but enough to hear. i started running 93 because of the nitrous and the noise stopped.
Could my timing be off? Will a re-flash be the only thing to fix this other than getting a chip?