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still having spark knock issues.

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Old Oct 5, 2009 | 08:46 PM
  #21  
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Why are you using 43 plugs? Way to cold for street cars.....Try some racing fuel and see if your problem goes away......You cant really trust the gas stations as their out for a fast buck realizing that only a few cars really need higher octane gas as they laugh all the way to the bank....
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Old Oct 5, 2009 | 09:04 PM
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it was the recommended cold plugs in the AIM, so those were the ones i used.
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Old Oct 5, 2009 | 09:22 PM
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Originally Posted by another-user
it was the recommended cold plugs in the AIM, so those were the ones i used.
You'd be better off with the 44s if you can find them, otherwise the 45s are good for all round street use.
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Old Oct 6, 2009 | 09:29 AM
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While you have the distributor out do you have access to a Sun Distributor machine? The distributor might as you say have too an aggressive ignition curve although you say it ran well before. I have a similar engine 300hp- 327 w. the following curve

Start @ 800 RPM
13* @ 1700 RPM
26* @ 3100 RPM

I use BWD 112 hp points and a non emissions cap & rotor. The VAC is a B22, spark plugs are 5 heat range and initial timing 10* at 600 RPM.
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Old Oct 6, 2009 | 09:37 AM
  #25  
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Originally Posted by jdp6000
The gas is crap now-a-days. My ping goes away everytime I pour a full can of seafoam into the gas tank. Give it a try.
Seafoam ingredients:
Isopropyl Alcohol (rubbing alcohol), pale oil, and naptha.

How could that possibly avoid pre-ignition?
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Old Oct 6, 2009 | 10:50 AM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by Mike Ward
Seafoam ingredients:
Isopropyl Alcohol (rubbing alcohol), pale oil, and naptha.

How could that possibly avoid pre-ignition?
The aim of seafoam is to remove carbon buildups in the combustion chamber, ( just like a cup of water in the carb does ), not to prevent pre-ignition.
Carbon promotes pre-ignition. Remove carbon and you have a chance to solve pre-ignition issues.
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Old Oct 6, 2009 | 11:20 AM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by 73StreetRace
The aim of seafoam is to remove carbon buildups in the combustion chamber, ( just like a cup of water in the carb does ), not to prevent pre-ignition.
Carbon promotes pre-ignition. Remove carbon and you have a chance to solve pre-ignition issues.
It is not normal for a healthy SBC to accumulate deposits of any kind in the combustion chambers in sufficient quantity to induce pre-ignition. If seafoam or any deposit remover is required on a recurring basis (and not just a feel good placebo basis) the engine needs some serious help.
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Old Oct 6, 2009 | 12:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Mike Ward
It is not normal for a healthy SBC to accumulate deposits of any kind in the combustion chambers in sufficient quantity to induce pre-ignition. If seafoam or any deposit remover is required on a recurring basis (and not just a feel good placebo basis) the engine needs some serious help.
I agree with you about this point...
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Old Oct 6, 2009 | 04:19 PM
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I have had a customer with this problem, it turned out to be oil mist carry over from a poorly set up valve cover ventilation system. We replaced the PCV and the valve cover baffles and the air cleaner vent tube baffles, (basically stopped the ingress of oil mist into the intake tract) and the pinging stopped.
A good way to check, is to isolate the PCV ventilation lines from the intake tract temporarily to see if that stops the pinging.
Another theory, a bit out this time, is cam wear, if the exhaust lobe(s) gone, the dynamic compression ratio increases causing pinging.

Last edited by Thmprr; Oct 6, 2009 at 04:30 PM.
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Old Oct 6, 2009 | 07:00 PM
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wiped cam... i think those were the last 2 words i wanted to hear.

ill toy with the pcv system when the weather clears up later this week.

i dug out my dads old vac/compression gauges last night, so ill play around with the idle mixture too.

looks like ive got lots of things to try. ill go from the cheapest/easiest to the most expensive/hardest.
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Old Oct 7, 2009 | 06:46 AM
  #31  
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What do the plugs look like?
Post some good close up pics if possible.
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Old Oct 7, 2009 | 01:35 PM
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these are from a few weeks ago when i first stared knocking. i left 5 and 7 in, just because its a pain to get them out.

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Old Oct 7, 2009 | 07:32 PM
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this is good.... i cant even get the car to start now.

i reinstalled the points, weights, springs, and whatnot this evening after regreasing them. now the car isnt even starting.

hopefully the weather will be decent tomorrow and i can work on it.
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Old Oct 12, 2009 | 01:46 AM
  #34  
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just a little update, i got the spark knocking issue all cleared up. i solved 2 problems at once.

for what ever reason, the points/condenser went out. the car wouldnt start and i had no spark.

a new set of points/condenser got me a running car and cleared up all spark knock. except for a little knock at 35-40mph in 4th gear going up a hill. thats to be expected though.
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Old Oct 12, 2009 | 05:28 AM
  #35  
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i used points in the 70's and they were always a great hobby. back then they had things called "tune ups" which was points and plugs. the lead in the gas would ruin plugs in 10k or so. u know about points, completely obsolete, but still popular with guys that want to experience the "good old days" when there was nothing to do but fiddle with points. let's see how long they last
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Old Oct 12, 2009 | 09:24 AM
  #36  
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This is the first part I bought, only a few months after the car itself.
It was 18 years ago. I never touched it since this date.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MAA-501/?image=large
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Old Oct 12, 2009 | 01:34 PM
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Originally Posted by 73StreetRace
This is the first part I bought, only a few months after the car itself.
It was 18 years ago. I never touched it since this date.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MAA-501/?image=large
im already thinking about doing the swap this winter.
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