Timing???

[fordmike1]

So you never had the springs under the pistons in the carb that move the needles up and down for enrichment? That would explane the leaning out under cruse and the pinging.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

So you never had the springs under the pistons in the carb that move the needles up and down for enrichment? That would explane the leaning out under cruse and the pinging.

It was getting dark and I was under seige by skeeters when I first changed them so I was kind of in a hurry. I just kind of assumed that the pistons were solid.

I think the intial problem was caused by too weak of springs, after that was caused by my goof up.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Still fighting with the dumb thing, I have done all I can with the carb, I can throw all sorts of fuel at it and after a certain point it does nothing to get rid of the ping. I feel like throwing more fuel at it is masking something else.

So I think back, with the timing just a little different it wouldn't ping but would diesel... so ok maybe if I adjust the vacuum advance maybe it won't ping anymore. I looked up on the net just how to go about this and found some interesting things about the duraspark system.

Basically it kind of sounds like unless it is the sterotypical 1970's-80's dog Duraspark doesn't really like anything performance oriented. Kind of like it is figuring on there being an EGR system involved so it advances more than it should counting on the inert gasses being there... and there isn't any EGR anything at all with my set up.

Any thoughts about if an older pre-smog era vacuum module might fix it? Plausible or a load of bunk?

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/318267-vacuum-advance-info-2.html

http://www.fordmuscleforums.com/all-ford-techboard/454217-total-advance-limiting-vacuum-advance.html

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Maybe you would be better off with a MSD you can control both the curve and total advance something like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/MSD-FORD-28...Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item3f0ef3d9a0

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Maybe you would be better off with a MSD you can control both the curve and total advance something like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/MSD-FORD-28...Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item3f0ef3d9a0

That is probably I what I should have done to start with, right now with my new DS I am a little leary to trash it all just yet. It sounds like what I have is adjustable to a certain degree too:

http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2000/03/timing/index.shtml

The thing runs great, it just pings.

 

[baddad457]

Still fighting with the dumb thing, I have done all I can with the carb, I can throw all sorts of fuel at it and after a certain point it does nothing to get rid of the ping. I feel like throwing more fuel at it is masking something else.

So I think back, with the timing just a little different it wouldn't ping but would diesel... so ok maybe if I adjust the vacuum advance maybe it won't ping anymore. I looked up on the net just how to go about this and found some interesting things about the duraspark system.

Basically it kind of sounds like unless it is the sterotypical 1970's-80's dog Duraspark doesn't really like anything performance oriented. Kind of like it is figuring on there being an EGR system involved so it advances more than it should counting on the inert gasses being there... and there isn't any EGR anything at all with my set up.

Any thoughts about if an older pre-smog era vacuum module might fix it? Plausible or a load of bunk?

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/318267-vacuum-advance-info-2.html

http://www.fordmuscleforums.com/all-ford-techboard/454217-total-advance-limiting-vacuum-advance.html

I've long since lost track of what all you've done here. There are two ways to get rid of ping: back off the initial timing, or add more octane. I'm running a stock Duraspark setup (77 Comet control module as far as I know, it came with the car) and an 85 Mustang GT distributor in my 331 (10.4 to 1 comp ratio) You cannot run it at all on 87 octane gas. It will not ping at all on 93 octane fuel. But as of the past year, there is no such thing as ethanol free 93 octane fuel, I'm now running on 91 conventional gas (less than 5% ethanol) and it does ping occasionally, I now started adding a little dose of lead substitute and a few gallons of Chevron 93 premium (it's an ethanol blend, just not sure of the ratio). If you've backed off the timing and it's pinging, then start using more octane. If it still pings after doing these two things, no other ignition system will help, quite possibly, the only way to fix it is to rebuild the engine with a lower comp ratio.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Just keep playing with it, back off a degree at a time on the timing and adjust the idle air each time you adjust the timing until it dont ping. dont be concerned with the base timing depending on mods you want the total advance to be correct for performance.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Before pulling the trigger on any high dollar ignition I finally checked compression... I should have done it sooner but honestly I was scared to. For some reason the screw in tester wouldn't start in my E6 heads but it did my E7's on the bench perfectly. They both call for the same spark plug and my plugs screw in perfect, dunno what the deal was there. Using the much bulkier push on tester on the two that were easily accessible (#2 and #3) both hit 180lbs = 12:1 compression.

back up three downs and punt the ball...

Might also explain why it was spunkier than everybody was saying it was supposed to be... considering dad's diesel tractor is 15:1.

On the plus side, with the intake off it would be an oppertune time to poke a different cam in it...

 

[dangerranger83]

Damn...12:1!!!!!

 

[kimcrwbr1]

I dunno maybe it is just a matter of using the proper heat range on the plugs have you tried stock autolite single platinum plugs for the tfi ignition system. Get the plugs and a stock TFI coil from the same year late 80s 302 to go with the duraspark dizzy.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Damn...12:1!!!!!

Some people pay big money for that kind of compression.

I dunno maybe it is just a matter of using the proper heat range on the plugs have you tried stock autolite single platinum plugs for the tfi ignition system. Get the plugs and a stock TFI coil from the same year late 80s 302 to go with the duraspark dizzy.

Plugs are the recommended Autolite plantums for an '87 302, they look great. I am running a fairly new TFI coil from my 2.8.

General rule of thumb I think is 10:1 for pump gas, I have no interest or desire to run alcohol in this thing to quit pinging. If I putt around town it is ok, but that is all I wanted to do my dying 2.8 could have mustered that for a couple more years.

It is going on the back burner until my slot opens up again this winter at work, then the heads are coming off to be cleaned, cam is being switched to something a little perkier and a more service friendly front accessory drive is going on. I don't think it is worth messing with anything else right now until the compression is where it is supposed to be.

If the thing can run that kind of compression with no abnormal blowby it must still be a pretty tight engine.