Scooterz

Thanks again Ken & DD. I am not used to Mopar stuff at all. Just a different bird... the starter is weird sounding, the valve train has a different sound (not bad) just different. You guys know a lifter tap or small exhaust leak is like fingernails on a chalkboard to a gear head.... but it does go away. Seems like a good motor.

It has 9: 1 pistons & does not like regular gas!! Pings under load in mid range. Put 92 oct in it & it is gone. With 9: 1 pistons, I wouldn't think the lower octane would matter?? WTH.

outlaw256

are you runnin 100% gas? if not you aint gettin the octane thats advertised! thats one thing ive learned in the last few months...from a gas supplier no less!!

roadkill2

Sounds like a timing issue here. Is the mechanical advance hanging or perhaps opening up too soon? Might be worth looking at because this isn't (or shouldn't be) a computer operated engine.

Or, the vacuum advance isn't returning soon enough. Could be something as stupid as a small vacuum leak in the hose or diaphram.

TheYellaBrick

In our leetle town, we are able to buy non ethanol gas in 87 and 92 from this one small station. ALL my junk runs better and I get better mileage.

roadkill2

That's kind of unusual in this day and age, because most of the EPA Specs require a minimum of 10% Ethanol in Gasoline sold Retail, in all 50 states. Then they have 9 "Environmental Impact Cities" where a "Special formula Gasoline" is required, some at certain times during the year, some, year round.

I dunno about Idaho, but in most states that have highway taxes as part or all of the state gasoline tax, and sell both diesel and gasoline for "Off Road Use" and is colored differently than standard pump gas and has a distinct exhaust smell so that authorities can tell whether you're driving on the highway with Taxed Fuel.

The "Off Road Use" includes racing as well as construction equipment, farm use and other equipment that doesn't ever see a highway . . But here in Colorado, I dunno where you'd find "Pure Gasoline" other than Racing Fuel. When I was in the Construction Business, the State was pretty zealous about checking our Trucks and diesel pickups for "Red" Diesel. They want those taxes!

Scooterz

It is that way here too RK. You could get a random check on highway VS off road diesel (cops use a dipper to check color). The gas is part menthol. It is very hard to find straight regular gas.... but it is sold & refereed to as "white gas" at one station here by my work. It is more expensive.

I thought about timing too. Timing gear is set 4 degrees advance due to cam. The dist is manual. checked vacuum line... seems to be okay. Have not put a gun on it yet or check full operation of advance... I will do it this weekend.

DD: that 72 Dodge you have... she has some low miles. Pretty impressive she tows yer go-carts & keeps chuggin... good work horse.

Ken- octane is one of those things we ass-U-me should be correct... but kinda like the timing gun... we should question what is really going on.

TheYellaBrick

This is just Idaho. Look up your state/city ;

http://pure-gas.org/index.jsp?stateprov=ID

roadkill2

Good post!

Notice, though, few, and in some states, none of the sources are in Metro areas. In Colorado, all of the outlets are either small (in the boonies) farming communities or adjacent to a lake or other camping attraction, where straight gasoline is better for Generators, 4 wheelers and motorcycles, as well as boats, 'specially the outboards.

Not that it matters, but because of the Politicians, other than racing gasoline, pure gasoline at the pump is becoming just like the ancient Stegosarus . . Extinct!

In yer race car, get used to alcohol, and yer street ride, 20% ethanol . .

Scooterz

I see a few "85" oct... whoopee!!

Harbone

Scoot your pinging might be carbon build up on the pistons, those old Mopars had a tendency to crud up. Does it have an EGR valve still on it? That will make them ping too when they are bad.
Get something turn burn that carbon off, ATF or SeaFoam nice and slow through the carb will take care of it, just make sure you are in an open area cause it will smoke like crazy!