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jeffros 58 Samba Member

Joined: January 01, 2009 Posts: 369 Location: jackson mi
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Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 4:56 pm Post subject: Spark knock |
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| Having a spark knock on my 1776cc engine in my single cab . The engine is timed. To 32 dregs total and have the points set .016 in . I have a engl 110 cam. Stock heads pic34 empi carb . Set as good as I can get it . Valves I adjust .004-.006 on all . Exhaust is a vintage speed w/ heater boxes . The truck seems to run pretty good but I’m thinking at 60 mph with GRB on her still I’m spinning it pretty good RPMs . I don’t know if I should do anything with the timing to help . I’m seeing the spark knock mainly in like 3rd gear when accelerating to shift into fourth. Also I do run 87-89 octane I know that is an issue also don’t hit me too hard !! Would octane alone help ?? Timing ?? Thanks |
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BFB Samba Member

Joined: November 03, 2014 Posts: 3185
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Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 5:06 pm Post subject: Re: Spark knock |
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You should probably explain in more detail what your referring to as “spark knock” _________________ "how am i supposed to torque the rear wheel nut to 250 ft lbs??? " - clonebug
An interesting thing happens in forums where everyone starts parroting the same thing and "common knowledge" takes over.
Most experts aren't. |
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Rob Combs Samba Member

Joined: December 30, 2020 Posts: 901 Location: South Bay LA, California
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Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 6:21 pm Post subject: Re: Spark knock |
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What’s your static compression ratio? Do you know your deck height? What are you running for spark control? Running a 34 PICT3? What main jet are you running? What fuel are you running?
Getting rid of spark knock is a balance of all the above, and BFB is not wrong either…
Please don’t take offense, we do want to help! |
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sidemarkers Samba Member

Joined: January 26, 2014 Posts: 162 Location: AZ
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Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 8:05 pm Post subject: Re: Spark knock |
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Drive it till it reaches operating temperature.
When you are approaching your residence turn off the key and coast to a stop.
Let it cool a bit, pull plugs then post pics. |
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modok Samba Member

Joined: October 30, 2009 Posts: 27757 Location: Colorado Springs
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Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 8:23 pm Post subject: Re: Spark knock |
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As far as I understood
the definition of "spark knock" is that retarding the timing stops the knocking. |
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Rob Combs Samba Member

Joined: December 30, 2020 Posts: 901 Location: South Bay LA, California
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Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 8:45 pm Post subject: Re: Spark knock |
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Of course, but 32*, while a little hot, should not be setting the house on fire.
Seems like something else is up. |
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74 Thing Samba Member

Joined: September 02, 2004 Posts: 7681
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Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 10:43 pm Post subject: Re: Spark knock |
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It may be lean, or the static compression ratio too high, or the timing is not at 32 BTDC at full advance, or the timing advance can be too fast, or too hot of spark plugs, or hot spots in chambers, or too much deck, and the octane is too low.
Those are a few.
Easiest one to test first is up the octane. |
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Dusty1 Samba Member
Joined: April 16, 2004 Posts: 2251
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Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2025 5:37 am Post subject: Re: Spark knock |
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| 74 Thing wrote: |
It may be lean, or the static compression ratio too high, or the timing is not at 32 BTDC at full advance, or the timing advance can be too fast, or too hot of spark plugs, or hot spots in chambers, or too much deck, and the octane is too low.
Those are a few.
Easiest one to test first is up the octane. |
Badda- bing.
Race gas fixes everything.
If it still pings on 100 octane you're driving a '74 Pinto.
.
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BFB Samba Member

Joined: November 03, 2014 Posts: 3185
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Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2025 5:47 am Post subject: Re: Spark knock |
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| modok wrote: |
As far as I understood
the definition of "spark knock" is that retarding the timing stops the knocking. |
exactly. otherwise its either preignition or detonation which are two different things _________________ "how am i supposed to torque the rear wheel nut to 250 ft lbs??? " - clonebug
An interesting thing happens in forums where everyone starts parroting the same thing and "common knowledge" takes over.
Most experts aren't. |
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slalombuggy Samba Member

Joined: July 17, 2010 Posts: 9340 Location: Canada
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Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2025 9:46 pm Post subject: Re: Spark knock |
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Seems to me the easiest thing to try is crank the timing back to 28* not drain the tank and put in race fuel.
Is this a new 009 or an old Bosch 009. The chances of a new one having consistent advance is not 100%, so check that first
To see if it's lean find a quiet road. Take it for a hard acceleration until it starts pinging. Once it starts pinging, shut it off and clutch at the same time. You want the engine to stop drawing in fuel, then pull over and check the plugs. If you just take it for a drive and pill a plug when you get home, you won't know if it's lean and when. Is it at idle or cruise or load? Chopping the engine will give you the best plug reading under the circumstances you're trying to see about.
Last edited by slalombuggy on Fri Jul 25, 2025 8:43 am; edited 1 time in total |
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oprn Samba Member

Joined: November 13, 2016 Posts: 15277 Location: Western Canada
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Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2025 4:48 am Post subject: Re: Spark knock |
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| BFB wrote: |
| modok wrote: |
As far as I understood
the definition of "spark knock" is that retarding the timing stops the knocking. |
exactly. otherwise its either preignition or detonation which are two different things |
Ah yes but what about "predetonation"?
 _________________ Our cars get old, we get old but driving an old VW never gets old! |
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BFB Samba Member

Joined: November 03, 2014 Posts: 3185
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Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2025 6:00 am Post subject: Re: Spark knock |
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heh heh _________________ "how am i supposed to torque the rear wheel nut to 250 ft lbs??? " - clonebug
An interesting thing happens in forums where everyone starts parroting the same thing and "common knowledge" takes over.
Most experts aren't. |
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jim martin Samba Member

Joined: January 14, 2004 Posts: 408 Location: Vancouver, BC
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Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2025 7:29 am Post subject: Re: Spark knock |
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I agree with plug reading.
In the end plug reading is the quickest way to decide what your engine needs. Sure you can just pull timing and say I’m good but it can be so many other things, in the end you may be loosing /leaving a lot of power on the table .
- let’s say for example with detonation you kill the engine and pull plugs or at least 1 from each side to start like # 2 and 4.
If you see black speckles on the porcelain it’s from too much heat ,it will either require a small timing change or a slightly richer jet to cool combustion temperatures or a 1 step colder plug then retest . Shiny specs are aluminum. Pull timing now ! and retest.
- I learned a lot running and turning nitrous and chased my tail more than once.
Plug pulling and reading seams like it takes so much time but always saved me more in the long run _________________ B.C's fastest street legal vw , June 2006 Hot VW's feature car 9.81 sec at 145.26mph.
Sponsored by :
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Airspeedparts.com topic http://airspeedparts.com/forums/index.php?topic=914.0 |
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