Spark ping Problem - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

tractor8 · 07-23-2001, 10:46 AM

I have been having a spark ping or spark knock problem with my 90' K1500 Silverado with the 5.7 engine. It occurs only under medium acceleration and is worse when pulling a trailer. The timing is set perfect and their are no other problems with the truck. I ran some BG 44K through it and it improved slightly. Does anybody have anyother ideas????

Z16 · 07-23-2001, 10:59 AM

Had a simular problem with my 98 Vortec and no one could give much advice. Two solutions. First my buddy who is a mechanic thought it must be the knock sensor not retarding the timing, so we tested it and couldn't come up with conclusive results as to if it was working or not. We decide that I should just try running some better gas thru it and go from there. I ran 4 or 5 tanks of premium with injector cleaner and octane boost, and drove the truck fairly hard( pulled our trailer and did a lot of highway) and this seems to have cured the problem. He says that he has seen lots of these trucks just get carboned up, and just needing a good clean out.

tractor8 · 07-23-2001, 12:01 PM

Yeah, that might help because I did run some high test through it one time and it didn't ping anymore. My truck is always driven hard though.

Silverado5.7L · 07-23-2001, 11:26 PM

I have the same problem in my 91 TBI.
Is there anything I can do to cure it.
My mechanic said not to worry unless it starded to get louder.
I was thinking of getting Splitfires?
They are pretty high though.

Chevyman69 · 07-25-2001, 12:06 AM

Run AC Delco Rapid Fire plugs, they work awesome in our trucks, because I know people who run split Fires and they burn up fast and were an overall disappointment. The Rapid Fire is a good plug and will last you a long time(at least they are for me). Pinging is somewhat normal for our trucks but mine does not ping at all more or less because I drive it fairly hard and I make it work pulling trailer and it seems to keep it cleaned out and running better. Slow putzing around and not working the engine causes carbon build up which helps lead to detonation. Eventhough some people do these things their trucks still ping but that is just the way some are. P.S. Silverado5.7L start with an air filter better plugs cap and rotor and wires, and a good exhaust system, if you can ditch the cat altogether and run non cat duals would be best other wise a high flow cat and 3 inch if you want but I would still run duals. By the way a 97 Chev came into the shop and they have duals in single out on the 350 Vortecs. Just lopped the muffler and tailpipes off and extended dual exhaust out the back with just the cats and no mufflers, is actually quieter than most glasspacks and has a very deep rumble at idle. You can look towards a good chip too, which I am doing and that may help.

------------------
69 CST 10, 402, steel crank, heavy rods, Federal Mogul Forged Pistons, 9.9:1 compression, polished ported 781 heads 2.19/1.88 manley stainless valves, Crane Powermax Hydraulic roller 288/296 and .587,.610 lift, hardened pushrods, Crane Roller Rockers, Weiand Action Plus, 750CFM Edelbrock QJET, MSD HEI, MSD 8MM Wires, should be about 500 H.P. 700R4 2500 stall, pretty nasty shift kit, 373 Auburn Pro Series Posi, buckets/console air/tilt/tach 4wheel discs
Daily Driver: 92 Chev Reg Cab LWB Silverado 4x4, loaded, 350 Accel filter/cap/rotor/coil/AC Delco RapidFire plugs, Edelbrock intake and headers, true duals 700R4 with B@M Shift Kit for now!

Silverado5.7L · 07-25-2001, 01:34 AM

Thanks of all the help CM69.
I could actually ditch the CAT, but would that make it any louder? or give me better milege?
I want the lowest possible tone.

Silverado5.7L · 07-30-2001, 07:01 PM

Well ChevyMan I broke down and got some of those Rapid Fire Delco plugs and I like it already.
I just have to bearly touch the throtle and the thing comes to life.
Sounds smoother too.
I haven't got to get a big smokey one yet, but I'm guessin its gonna light up.
Thanks for the scoup.

Chevyman69 · 07-30-2001, 10:10 PM

I ran them and I noticed my truck ran better too. Plus I have like 35000 miles on thyem and look at them regularily and they still look like new!

------------------
69 CST 10, 402, steel crank, heavy rods, Federal Mogul Forged Pistons, 9.9:1 compression, polished ported 781 heads 2.19/1.88 manley stainless valves, Crane Powermax Hydraulic roller 288/296 and .587,.610 lift, hardened pushrods, Crane Roller Rockers, Weiand Action Plus, 800CFM Rochester QJET, MSD HEI, MSD 8MM Wires, should be about 500 H.P. 700R4 2500 stall, pretty nasty shift kit, 373 Auburn Pro Series Posi, buckets/console air/tilt/tach 4wheel discs
Daily Driver: 92 Chev Reg Cab LWB Silverado 4x4, loaded, 350 Accel filter/cap/rotor/coil/AC Delco RapidFire plugs, Edelbrock intake and headers, true duals 700R4 with B@M Shift Kit for now!

tractor8 · 07-31-2001, 12:54 PM

Thanks for the help again I might just have to break down and buy some AC delco RapidFires. What are they about 4 bucks a piece?

07-23-2001, 10:46 AM	#1
tractor8 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 17	Spark ping Problem I have been having a spark ping or spark knock problem with my 90' K1500 Silverado with the 5.7 engine. It occurs only under medium acceleration and is worse when pulling a trailer. The timing is set perfect and their are no other problems with the truck. I ran some BG 44K through it and it improved slightly. Does anybody have anyother ideas????

07-23-2001, 10:59 AM	#2
Z16 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada Posts: 1,508	Had a simular problem with my 98 Vortec and no one could give much advice. Two solutions. First my buddy who is a mechanic thought it must be the knock sensor not retarding the timing, so we tested it and couldn't come up with conclusive results as to if it was working or not. We decide that I should just try running some better gas thru it and go from there. I ran 4 or 5 tanks of premium with injector cleaner and octane boost, and drove the truck fairly hard( pulled our trailer and did a lot of highway) and this seems to have cured the problem. He says that he has seen lots of these trucks just get carboned up, and just needing a good clean out. __________________ 98 GMC Sierra Ex Cab, cowl hood, Euro LED lights, 30 bar billet, Whipple Supercharged 350 Vortec: Forged flattops, E-Tec aluminum heads, Comp Cam, Scat crank and rods, Granatelli Mass air flow, Headers, Flowmaster exhaust , Complete MSD Ignition, Custom Tuning, intake spacer , ported throttle body, AC Delco port injection upgrade, Roller Rockers, Power Pulleys. Gear Vendors Overdrive. Soon to hit a dyno. 2/4 drop(for now). 95 Chevy S-10 Ex Cab 4.3 5 Speed 2/3 drop, Euro lights, billet grill, More to come. The Daily Driver

07-25-2001, 12:06 AM	#5
Chevyman69 Vortec 350's Suck Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Pickardville Alberta Canada Posts: 544	Run AC Delco Rapid Fire plugs, they work awesome in our trucks, because I know people who run split Fires and they burn up fast and were an overall disappointment. The Rapid Fire is a good plug and will last you a long time(at least they are for me). Pinging is somewhat normal for our trucks but mine does not ping at all more or less because I drive it fairly hard and I make it work pulling trailer and it seems to keep it cleaned out and running better. Slow putzing around and not working the engine causes carbon build up which helps lead to detonation. Eventhough some people do these things their trucks still ping but that is just the way some are. P.S. Silverado5.7L start with an air filter better plugs cap and rotor and wires, and a good exhaust system, if you can ditch the cat altogether and run non cat duals would be best other wise a high flow cat and 3 inch if you want but I would still run duals. By the way a 97 Chev came into the shop and they have duals in single out on the 350 Vortecs. Just lopped the muffler and tailpipes off and extended dual exhaust out the back with just the cats and no mufflers, is actually quieter than most glasspacks and has a very deep rumble at idle. You can look towards a good chip too, which I am doing and that may help. ------------------ 69 CST 10, 402, steel crank, heavy rods, Federal Mogul Forged Pistons, 9.9:1 compression, polished ported 781 heads 2.19/1.88 manley stainless valves, Crane Powermax Hydraulic roller 288/296 and .587,.610 lift, hardened pushrods, Crane Roller Rockers, Weiand Action Plus, 750CFM Edelbrock QJET, MSD HEI, MSD 8MM Wires, should be about 500 H.P. 700R4 2500 stall, pretty nasty shift kit, 373 Auburn Pro Series Posi, buckets/console air/tilt/tach 4wheel discs Daily Driver: 92 Chev Reg Cab LWB Silverado 4x4, loaded, 350 Accel filter/cap/rotor/coil/AC Delco RapidFire plugs, Edelbrock intake and headers, true duals 700R4 with B@M Shift Kit for now! __________________ 69 Chev CST 10 reg cab lwb Daily Driver: 92 Chev Reg Cab LWB Silverado 4x4, K.I.A 7:51 AM 04/22/03 Will be resurrected

07-30-2001, 10:10 PM	#8
Chevyman69 Vortec 350's Suck Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Pickardville Alberta Canada Posts: 544	I ran them and I noticed my truck ran better too. Plus I have like 35000 miles on thyem and look at them regularily and they still look like new! ------------------ 69 CST 10, 402, steel crank, heavy rods, Federal Mogul Forged Pistons, 9.9:1 compression, polished ported 781 heads 2.19/1.88 manley stainless valves, Crane Powermax Hydraulic roller 288/296 and .587,.610 lift, hardened pushrods, Crane Roller Rockers, Weiand Action Plus, 800CFM Rochester QJET, MSD HEI, MSD 8MM Wires, should be about 500 H.P. 700R4 2500 stall, pretty nasty shift kit, 373 Auburn Pro Series Posi, buckets/console air/tilt/tach 4wheel discs Daily Driver: 92 Chev Reg Cab LWB Silverado 4x4, loaded, 350 Accel filter/cap/rotor/coil/AC Delco RapidFire plugs, Edelbrock intake and headers, true duals 700R4 with B@M Shift Kit for now! __________________ 69 Chev CST 10 reg cab lwb Daily Driver: 92 Chev Reg Cab LWB Silverado 4x4, K.I.A 7:51 AM 04/22/03 Will be resurrected

07-23-2001, 12:01 PM	#3
tractor8 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 17	Yeah, that might help because I did run some high test through it one time and it didn't ping anymore. My truck is always driven hard though.

07-23-2001, 11:26 PM	#4
Silverado5.7L Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Coffeyville KS Posts: 58	I have the same problem in my 91 TBI. Is there anything I can do to cure it. My mechanic said not to worry unless it starded to get louder. I was thinking of getting Splitfires? They are pretty high though.

07-25-2001, 01:34 AM	#6
Silverado5.7L Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Coffeyville KS Posts: 58	Thanks of all the help CM69. I could actually ditch the CAT, but would that make it any louder? or give me better milege? I want the lowest possible tone.

07-30-2001, 07:01 PM	#7
Silverado5.7L Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Coffeyville KS Posts: 58	Well ChevyMan I broke down and got some of those Rapid Fire Delco plugs and I like it already. I just have to bearly touch the throtle and the thing comes to life. Sounds smoother too. I haven't got to get a big smokey one yet, but I'm guessin its gonna light up. Thanks for the scoup.

07-31-2001, 12:54 PM	#9
tractor8 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 17	Thanks for the help again I might just have to break down and buy some AC delco RapidFires. What are they about 4 bucks a piece?



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