pinging ?

pretty much since i bought the car i've been trying to set the timing properly and it still pings going uphill and above 3,000 rpms. i have a msd coil, fms 9mm spark plug wires, autolite #25 plugs set at .054 gap, stock dist with a jegs ignition module and the timing set at 12* with the spout connector unplugged. oh also the car runs on 87 octane. i've tried 10* up to 16* and still not much of a difference. am i doing something wrong at the balancer, maybe i'm not lining up something up correctly or am i missing something to check? any help would greatly be appreciated.. :banghead:

Has your engine ever been rebuilt? It may just have carbon buildup in the chambers. Have you tried putting premium in it to see if that solves it? Have you tried different brands of gas? My '91 explorer used to ping on regular Citgo, but ran fine on regular mobil/exxon/shell etc

the previous owner said it was but he didn't have receipts to prove it so i don't know for sure. i've put in 89 octane a few times and it did help a little so i'l try premium and see if it cleans it out. thanks for the info.

the previous owner said it was but he didn't have receipts to prove it so i don't know for sure. i've put in 89 octane a few times and it did help a little so i'l try premium and see if it cleans it out. thanks for the info.

you might back off on that gap a little. remember that the bigger the gap, the bigger the spark, the hotter the combustion chamber gets. i have MSD 8.5 wires and blaster TFI coil and dist, and i have no pinging problems, 87 octane and 12* timing. i use a .050 gap on Motorcraft Platimum plugs. motor has 100,000 miles on it.

I would definately stick with a higher octane fuel I would make 89 the minimum. I personnally don't run anything but 91 or better. Duplox hit the nail on the head too about choosing gasoline. I can't tell you how many article I've read about cheap additives that go into gasoline to spread it out. I'd stick with Amoco's, BP, Phillips or Texaco. I don't like Shell but its better than Citgo.

thanks for all the info guys i'l try it out and see how it goes...

you might back off on that gap a little. i use a .050 gap on Motorcraft Platimum plugs.
I agree with StangNut, a gap of .054 is too aggressive.
However, I would switch to a colder plug ( Platinum may be too hot for this engine ) until the detonation stops.
Also, run premium gas (Chevron, Mobil ) for a few months.