Timing vs pinging
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Norristown, PA
Timing vs pinging
Awhile back, I bumped up my timing a bit and that made my truck run great 
, except for the pinging going uphill or when I floored it 
. So I tried installing new NGK plugs gapped at .054 with a new Accel cap and rotor. Still had some pinging. So I nudged the timing back just a hair and the truck seems to be running like it was before I messed with the timing. 
My question is how can the timing be adjusted for performance and avoid pinging without using premium gas? Should I be looking into a higher output coil and a MSD box??
, except for the pinging going uphill or when I floored it . So I tried installing new NGK plugs gapped at .054 with a new Accel cap and rotor. Still had some pinging. So I nudged the timing back just a hair and the truck seems to be running like it was before I messed with the timing. My question is how can the timing be adjusted for performance and avoid pinging without using premium gas? Should I be looking into a higher output coil and a MSD box??
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
I can tell you what I've done and maybe it will give you a basis for comparison.
I have advanced my timing to 14 degrees BTDC and opened the spark plug gap to .052 or .054. Now I don't remember. I have done nothing to the stock ignition system. I have replaced the cap and rotor and plug wires last year but not since I changed the timing. I am currently using Champion platinum plugs. I don't know if it's helping or not. Some will say the platinum is a marketing gimmick, but maybe it is helping burn the fuel a little better since the gap is a little more. Don't know.
I run 87 octane more often than not and have no pinging, plenty of power, and my mileage hasn't changed to where I can tell. But then again, I put on larger tires, 4.11 gears, and my fuel gauge doen't work right. So...
I have advanced my timing to 14 degrees BTDC and opened the spark plug gap to .052 or .054. Now I don't remember. I have done nothing to the stock ignition system. I have replaced the cap and rotor and plug wires last year but not since I changed the timing. I am currently using Champion platinum plugs. I don't know if it's helping or not. Some will say the platinum is a marketing gimmick, but maybe it is helping burn the fuel a little better since the gap is a little more. Don't know.
I run 87 octane more often than not and have no pinging, plenty of power, and my mileage hasn't changed to where I can tell. But then again, I put on larger tires, 4.11 gears, and my fuel gauge doen't work right. So...
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 12
From: Bend,OR
put some plain jane autolites in there. with the normal gap and see if you get any better response with the timing. I suggest no more then 12*btdc with spout removed. anything above that an it could be bad. some get away with it but i dont advise it. you may also run some SeaFoam thru the motor and gas tank , change plugs and reset timing and see how it goes from there. little steps at a time though. makes it easier to troubleshoot
New User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Layton, Utah
Im not sure if i understend the question, but to my understending there are only a few things you can do to stop pinging.
1. Get cold air in the motor
2. Lower the compression
3. Set the timing
4. Use higher octain fuel
High performance caps, plugs, ext will help perfomance but not with pinging.
1. Get cold air in the motor
2. Lower the compression
3. Set the timing
4. Use higher octain fuel
High performance caps, plugs, ext will help perfomance but not with pinging.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,899
Likes: 2
From: Lynnwood, WA
The way to adjust timing is to note the original timing, adjust a little (like 2 degrees). If it doesn't ping you can increrase it again, else you need to turn it back, 1 degree at a time until it stops pinging, or you're back at the original timing.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
From: FLOWER MOUND,TX
NOT SURE WHAT MOTOR YOU HAVE...THIS LINK MIGHT HELP YOU GET A GENERAL IDEA OF WHAT TO DO...M-BLOCK PERFORMANCE...Bubba's M-Block Ford V8 Workshop
FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND YOU CAN ADJUST YOUR TIMING BUT THEN HAVE TO DIAL IN DISTRIBUTER VACUME TO GET RID OF PING...GOOD LUCK
FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND YOU CAN ADJUST YOUR TIMING BUT THEN HAVE TO DIAL IN DISTRIBUTER VACUME TO GET RID OF PING...GOOD LUCK
Last edited by TXBROKENARROW; Oct 29, 2004 at 04:28 PM. Reason: WRONG LINK
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 12
From: Bend,OR
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Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,735
Likes: 38
From: Sunny Florida
If it pings you need higher octane or back the timing off. The pining is causing harm to the motor and should not be driven like this for long.
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