First I want to thank those that helped me set my timing to get my car started after I replaced my injectors/distributor. I can't find that post otherwise I'd reply to it.

Next problem ---> So now, my engine pings and pings. I've always used the cheap gas and never had this problem before. I found out that my knock sensor is retarding my timing by 18 degrees to compensate! What can possibly cause that? My dad's friend thinks it could be the catalitic converter which is getting to hot, and stuff inside melted or something, causing back pressure?? What do you guys think about this? Any other ideas? Also, if I have low compression in one of my cylinders, would advancing or retarding the timing help? If so, which one.

Any help I can get would be great.

 

did you set timing per specs with the brown/tan wire disconnected? if so what did you set it to? if it's correct then, any vacuum leaks? if timing is within specs and pings....it must be running lean..... for a reason

 

I commute back and forth to school in an old Geo Metro with bad rings--burns a lot of oil. It is rated for 87 octane gas but the carbon build up from the burning oil makes it ping. 89 octane is enough to stop it, though, and if I religiously use Chevron (with Techroline -- carbon scavenging agent) I can run 87. Maybe that's it?

 

The timing was set with the wire disconnected and it's set right. Running lean... I replaced all my injectors with rebuilt ones which were flowmatched from Chris at Cruizin Performance. My car does run a lot smoother now with the new injectors. I don't see why I would be lean. As far as the carbon build up goes... well there should be less build up now than ever because I cleaned the intake, runners, plenum, and throttle body so well with many hours and my brother helping me. I've always used 87, well for a while now and I've had no trouble before. I would have tried going up to like 92 to see if it went away but I had just filled my tank. Also I want to find out what's causing the problem instead of covering up the symptoms. I don't know if it would work though. And I got an oil change after I put the intake and injectors and everything back on.

What do you gus think about my dad's friend's thought. What else would cause such extreme engine knock?
I haven't checked for vacume leaks but I did replace the EGR and Solenoid too. Everythings nice and snug and the lines look good. (from the outside)