I bought myself a timing light. I wanted to set it to 10* as a reference point (I found it was already there). And I wanted to drive the car at various settings in order to learn the driving differences at different settings. here is the procedure i used (and i got a full tank of hi octane 2 days ago).
*made the marks on the crank pulley more visible with white out. i marked TDC, 10 & 12 to start with. I figured these marks would be good to get me from 9 to 13.
*start up to operating temp
*Turn off
*take spout off
*start up
*set to 11* (or whatever number) using light
*turn off- reconnect spout.
My problem is that, now, no matter WHERE it is set I get pinging / chatter in the 3000 to 3500 area. If the spout is NOT connected i get no pinging of any kind. when i reconnect the spout i get the pinging starting right around 3000. i double checked and quadruple checked that my white out marks are correct. I made a mark at 10* before i started, found that it was, in fact, already set there. Even now when i put it back to 10* i get the pinging after reinstalling spout.
btw this is 1986 5.0 stock except for exhaust. mustang headers, no cats.
Well of course it's not pinging with the SPOUT diconnected. There is no timing advance with it out, and timing is very retarded.
How many miles on the engine? How old are plugs/wires/etc?
Engine has 156k. Plugs, wires, cap and rotor less than 2000 miles ago.
and just to clarify- prior to me playing with the timing there was no pinging at any RPM's.
Is/was your spout corroded? Maybe you never had any timing advance and the ping is from a weak fuel pump?
88CougarGT- funny you should mention the fuel pump. i listened outside at the rear of the car and i do hear the fuel pump. it's a high pitched "whining". so that's one more thing to add to the immediate to do list.
if lack of fuel is causing the pinging, shouldn't i be getting a code for lean condition, though?
I never seen a lean code, not sure there is one. try less than 9 see if it still pings, The chain may be a bit worn and you thought you had 10.
Maybe borrow a fuel pressure test set from autozone and check your fuel pressure. Also, I had a similar problem with some gas. Has it been sitting for a while? Maybe a couple gals of premium will help.
did you pay attention to where it was originally and not pinging? and how far away that was from where you have it set now?
it was at 10 before i did anything. now when i put it back at 10 it starts pinging around 3000. i'll try kitz's thought, and try 9 or lower. at 160k, the timing chain has got to be stretched. i have to check fuel pressure too as 88cougar said, and at some point replace the whining fuel pump. thanks.