pinging sound won't go away!!!!!!!!!!

[tomt]

STOP, STOP, STOP!!!!
With a single vacuum distributor you do NOT set the timing at 5 degrees ATDC. You need to set the timing at 7.5 degrees BTDC with the vac hose disconnected and the port plugged at the carb. This effectively removes the vacuum advance from the equation. You have to use a timing light to properly set the timing.

The engine code has nothing to do with how you set the timing, the distributor is the key.

Muir's book was originally written before 1969, much of "updated" information is inaccurate, some things have never been updated. Muir's original "Rap on Distributors" has never been updated. He didn't like the vacuum-only dizzy's and people have been pulling dual advance distributors to install single advance distributors for the last 30 years based on those two paragraphs in his book. Muir's book is a good read, but don't bet your bug on it.

You will get better information (and actual photographs too) from the Bentley manual. I also like the Haynes and Clymer books as they have some photos not in the Bentley. The cheapest and often best source for up-to-date info is the web.

[kh]

i have a 1600 dual port with 34pict and euro header exhaust and pertronix ignition, and a single vacuum distributor, i set the timing at tdc staticically , but it still makes a pinging sound , should i set it a little after tdc? does the spark plug gap make a difference if i opened them up a little more with pertronix coil?

[CPRcubed]

Is the pinging only under load (or all the time)? If its all the time check for something vibrating on the engine (I had a broken muffler strap once that sounded exactly like detonation). Also check the plugs for any sharp edges that wound be in the combustion chamber (this includes plugs that have threads protruding into the chamber). I would also time it with a timing lite vice statically. Cheers!

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1970 Bug (stock & rusted for now), 1994 F350 CC DRW PSD, 1971 Airstream. Life is good in Bear Valley Springs!

[Eurolook71]

Ok. first off I need the to know the engine code (the letters is all). Since you said 1600DP, I will assume AE, AH (71-73) which with your stock vacuum distributor, needs to be timed at 5 degrees AFTER TDC. GET A TIMING LIGHT!!, static is only good for general idea of where to be (71-on engines wern't meant to be staticlly timed). A few notes, if it is an AE, AH motor, strobe your timing mark at idle with vacuum hose(s) on. Also, (this MAY NOT apply to you though) From spring 73' engines with 1 vacuum hose on dizzy, set timing to 7.5 BEFORE TDC w/ vacuum hose from dizzy off and plugged. I just got all this info out of How to keep your VW alive, by John Muir, GET IT!! Also, leave your gaps to factory specs, no need to mess with these. Hope this helps.