I just put on an MSD blaster coil and got a hell of a lot of
detonation. Timing was set at 6 deg advance and I have r45
plugs. I rest the timing to 4deg advance and still get a good
amount of ping when it shifts into second gear. I really don't
want to retard the timing any more than this.

The Block Learn is right on 128. I did make a mistake and put $10
worth of Ethanol blend in it yesterday. I know, I know but I
grabbed the wrong handle, OK? I put the bad gas in it before I
put the coil on and it didn't ping with it though. Today after I put
the coil on and it started pinging I filled it with 91 octane but that
did not help.

Any ideas other than backing the timing off some more?

 

I think I'm running a 43TS plug in mine. Maybe the plugs are a little too hot? Give it time to get the ethanol crap out and if it still does it try a colder plug. Maybe the hotter coil is allowing the plug to build up too much heat. I'm running AC Delco's, I'm not sure if other manufacturers rate their plug different, but mine are colder according to AC. Later :burnout