I ran with my headers plugs out most of the summer, but now that the plugs are in, I have noticed a "pinging" under heavy pedal. Several people have told me this is spark knock, so I gassed up with high octane and the ping is ALMOST gone. I am going to bump the timing down, obviously, but what kind of damage could I have done if this was going on for some time? Also, I am considering replacing the dizzy as I still run an original ford dizzy with a pertronix in it, I hear if I upgrade I'll have more control over my timing as the vacuum diaphragms can go bad over time.
I can't help you but I've heard the term "dizzy" before. What does that refer to? Is it the vacuum amplifier at the top of the engine?
dizzy is the distributor. i believe by running open pipes it runs leaner. unless it was running real lean over a period of time you probably didn't do any damage. was it running warmer than usual this summer. if not it probably wasn't too much.
probably didn't hurt it. i ran mine lean enough to get some piston flaking and completely melt the center of the #1 plug and it still ran strong for another 2 years. reringing it now and new bearings. will be back together by next month.
I got a new set of plugs, I'll put those in after I kick the timing down. Any suggestions on a new dizzy? I'd like to use the pertronix with it, or a similar one wire system. (read as: no ignition box)
i use the msd in my grabber. i have stock stuff in my other cars. except my 64 fairlane. it's got a mallory unilite and i'm not happy with it. not sure about any others.
If you're worried about the vacuum advance not working, check the vacuum pod. Remove the dist cap and rotor, take the hose loose from the carb amd while sucking on the hose, look and see if the lever extending into the distributor pulls the breaker plate. If it doesn't, run down to the parts house and get a new pod. The parts house also has reman stock distributors for about $50-70.
And let it ping too long and it'll damage the pistons. Hypereutectics will shatter the top, cast will break the ring lands and rings too. Forged, all you have to worry about is the rings shattering.
