68 riviera pinging

hope someone out there can help my riviera pings hard when i kick it into passing gear other then that she runs fine any ideas out there on how to solve this? ive been reading about this and not to sure what will help hope there is a cheap fix as i dont want to run #1 gas as this would be expensive and i want to drive her lots like she should be any help would be gladly appreciated happy cruisin people

 

Probably too much timing advance. Get a timing light on it and see where you are. Test the mechanical and vacuum advance to be sure both are working properly and set to spec.
I have seen aftermarket replacement vacuum advance modules that allow too much vac advance so if that was changed, its a possibility as well.

You may need to run 91-93 octane although I've had some 430s that would run OK without it. Especially those with higher mileage. You may have to retard the timing a bit if you need to run lower octane fuel. Retarding the timing too far though can make it run hotter.

 

I had that issue with my Riv/430 and it turned out to be a combination of things, Timing, a Vac leak and cheap gas. I pulled back the timing a few degrees. Found a pretty good vac leak at the base of the carb and started running 93. My pinging went away and the temp dropped to under 200

 

The engine was built for Hi Test gas. Try some and see what happens. Rivs with engines built for low test gas started in 1971.

In the meantime stay away from making it ping. Otherwise you may cause yourself to get a 5K bill which is way more expensive than buying Hi Test gas.

 

as said by other posters: timing and low octane gas was my problem with a 430 as well

 

More than likely a deteriorated rubber bushing on the vac advance is allowing too much timing. This is most likely the case if you have a part throttle ping vs. a WOT ping.

As previously mentioned, if the vac advance can has been replaced it has no bushing at all.

 

. . . just "bite the bullet" and buy 93 octane fuel, after you check your timing.
As stated the 430 was designed to run on 'premium' fuel. If I run 'regular' in my 430 it pings like crazy !!
You might be able to get away with a mixture of 'premium' and 'regular' so it won't hurt the wallet as much. :TU:

 

Less than 93 octane for a 10:25 CR 430? Forget about it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:spank:

 

The ratio is a lot closer to the high nines unless the block's been decked.

Devon

 

What about a lead additive? would that help? k thanks

 

Won't help the pinging.

Devon

 

thanks for all the info i'll try and check the timing this weekend and i'll fill her up with the good stuff after i set the timing fingers crossed

 

No, but mixing in some avgas may. But again the engine was designed for Hi test gas. If adjusting the timing does not cure this condition you may have no choice but to run Hi Test.

 

Is that a Nissan Cube in your avatar? The money you save driving that should easily cover the bill for the Premium gas in the Buick. :TU:

 

thanks guys the timing was off abit but she likes 91 octane have to lock rearend up now lol the other day here it was raining an i was doin 50mph an kicked it into passing gear and all she did was spin woo hoo lol shes fun to drive and she seems to be easier on gas since i switched just judging from it took a quarter tank to goto work an back but now just around a 1/8 so im a happy camper here on the island thanks again for all the info

 

Do you have any pictures of your Riviera to show? I, as well as other Riv owners im sure, would love to see it.