WTF? Pinging 351W

My 400cid 351 Windsor stroker is only running 9.2:1CR but it's pinging like
crazy on the 85 octane here in Colorado. I've checked the gaps on my plugs
and the points, retarded my timing so far back it's probably -4 initial
(timing light doesn't go below 0). It STILL pings!!!! WTF!!!

I topped off with half a tank of premium and added a double dose of 108
octane boost. Pinging and dieseling gone, but NO BALLS. What the hell is
going on?

--
Scott W.
'68 Ranchero 500 302
'69 Mustang Sportsroof 351W
ThunderSnake #57
http://home.comcast.net/~vanguard92/

"Blue Mesteno" > wrote in
:

> My 400cid 351 Windsor stroker is only running 9.2:1CR but it's pinging
> like crazy on the 85 octane here in Colorado. I've checked the gaps on
> my plugs and the points, retarded my timing so far back it's probably
> -4 initial (timing light doesn't go below 0). It STILL pings!!!!
> WTF!!!
>
> I topped off with half a tank of premium and added a double dose of
> 108 octane boost. Pinging and dieseling gone, but NO BALLS. What the
> hell is going on?
>

They probably just replaced MTBE with ethanol there?

Blue Mesteno wrote:

> My 400cid 351 Windsor stroker is only running 9.2:1CR but it's pinging like
> crazy on the 85 octane here in Colorado. I've checked the gaps on my plugs
> and the points, retarded my timing so far back it's probably -4 initial
> (timing light doesn't go below 0). It STILL pings!!!! WTF!!!
>
> I topped off with half a tank of premium and added a double dose of 108
> octane boost. Pinging and dieseling gone, but NO BALLS. What the hell is
> going on?
>
Sounds either lean or hot, does not sound like too much timing. Start by
setting your timing back to where it should be. I live in the Springs, and I have
10.5:1, Mallory electronic ignition with 10* initial and 24* mechanical, and EFI. I
generally run mid grade. Unless it gets really hot, I don't have pre-ignition problems.

Check for the simple things first: loose vacume hose, cracked vacume advance
can, blown intake manifold gasket, air in the cooling system, etc.

What changed recently?

--
..boB
Arrived: 2006 FXDI, Red.
1997 HD FXDWG - Turbocharged Stolen 11/26/05 in Denver
1HD1GEL10VY3200010 CO License J5822Z
2001 Dodge Dakota QC 5.9/4x4/3.92
1966 Mustang Coupe - Daily Driver
1965 FFR Cobra - 427W EFI, Damn Fast.

I had a pinging problem on my 289 and tried all the typical tricks, just
like you, to no avail.

Called a garage to have a "pro" check it out, and they suggested I try
combustion cleaner first.

Shot a $6 (Canadian) can of it into the carb following the instructions
(fast idle, let it sit after, etc.) and the pinging all went away. Now I can
even use the lowest octane pump gas, no problem.

Worth trying first. Supposedly the pinging was caused by carbon build-up,
heating up red hot and doing the pre-ignition thing.

Michel.


"Blue Mesteno" > wrote in message
...
> My 400cid 351 Windsor stroker is only running 9.2:1CR but it's pinging
like
> crazy on the 85 octane here in Colorado. I've checked the gaps on my plugs
> and the points, retarded my timing so far back it's probably -4 initial
> (timing light doesn't go below 0). It STILL pings!!!! WTF!!!
>
> I topped off with half a tank of premium and added a double dose of 108
> octane boost. Pinging and dieseling gone, but NO BALLS. What the hell is
> going on?
>
> --
> Scott W.
> '68 Ranchero 500 302
> '69 Mustang Sportsroof 351W
> ThunderSnake #57
> http://home.comcast.net/~vanguard92/
>
>

".boB" > wrote
> What changed recently?

Nothing. It's just gotten gradually worse and worse. The engine is brand
new. Less than 5000 miles on it.
--
Scott W.
'68 Ranchero 500 302
'69 Mustang Sportsroof 351W
ThunderSnake #57
http://home.comcast.net/~vanguard92/

Blue Mesteno wrote:
> ".boB" > wrote
>
>> What changed recently?
>
>
> Nothing. It's just gotten gradually worse and worse. The engine is brand
> new. Less than 5000 miles on it.

Unless it's really out of tune, carbon in the combustion chamber are not very
likely. Check for vacume leaks and lean mixture. Be sure and check the timing. If
the hold down bolt wasn't secured, the timing will gradually creep.

--
..boB
Arrived: 2006 FXDI, Red.
1997 HD FXDWG - Turbocharged Stolen 11/26/05 in Denver
1HD1GEL10VY3200010 CO License J5822Z
2001 Dodge Dakota QC 5.9/4x4/3.92
1966 Mustang Coupe - Daily Driver
1965 FFR Cobra - 427W EFI, Damn Fast.

".boB" > wrote
> Unless it's really out of tune, carbon in the combustion chamber are
> not very likely. Check for vacume leaks and lean mixture. Be sure and
> check the timing. If the hold down bolt wasn't secured, the timing will
> gradually creep.

If only it was as easy as any of those things. The only thing can think of
right this instant is that the brand new balancer was fugged.
--
Scott W.
'68 Ranchero 500 302
'69 Mustang Sportsroof 351W
ThunderSnake #57
http://home.comcast.net/~vanguard92/

Blue Mesteno wrote:
> ".boB" > wrote
>
>> Unless it's really out of tune, carbon in the combustion chamber are
>>not very likely. Check for vacume leaks and lean mixture. Be sure and
>>check the timing. If the hold down bolt wasn't secured, the timing will
>>gradually creep.
>
>
> If only it was as easy as any of those things. The only thing can think of
> right this instant is that the brand new balancer was fugged.

Sorry, you lost me on that one. How would a bad balancer cause pinging?

--
..boB
Arrived: 2006 FXDI, Red.
1997 HD FXDWG - Turbocharged Stolen 11/26/05 in Denver
1HD1GEL10VY3200010 CO License J5822Z
2001 Dodge Dakota QC 5.9/4x4/3.92
1966 Mustang Coupe - Daily Driver
1965 FFR Cobra - 427W EFI, Damn Fast.

".boB" > wrote
> Sorry, you lost me on that one. How would a bad balancer cause pinging?

If the rubber slipped and the timing was read incorrectly. Why would it
start out at 12 degrees and end up at -4 if something REALLY strange hadn't
happened.
--
Scott W.
'68 Ranchero 500 302
'69 Mustang Sportsroof 351W
ThunderSnake #57
http://home.comcast.net/~vanguard92/

Blue Mesteno wrote:

> ".boB" > wrote
>
>>Sorry, you lost me on that one. How would a bad balancer cause pinging?
>
>
> If the rubber slipped and the timing was read incorrectly. Why would it
> start out at 12 degrees and end up at -4 if something REALLY strange hadn't
> happened.

OK, I get it. Good point. If you reset your timing based on a slipped balancer,
it would be pretty far off.
Fortunatly, that's pretty easy to check. Stick your thumb in the number one
spark plug hole, and turn the crank with a wrench. You can feel when it's pretty
close to TDC, and the timing marks should match up.

--
..boB
Arrived: 2006 FXDI, Red.
1997 HD FXDWG - Turbocharged Stolen 11/26/05 in Denver
1HD1GEL10VY3200010 CO License J5822Z
2001 Dodge Dakota QC 5.9/4x4/3.92
1966 Mustang Coupe - Daily Driver
1965 FFR Cobra - 427W EFI, Damn Fast.