labor knocking

[390owner]

I changed to a richer setting this morning by changing the rods. It still knocked a little while climbing a hill. I slowly pushed the gas to the floor and it labor knocked at wide open. May try the springs next

[390owner]

I changed rods again to a richer setting. Same thing at full throttle going up a hill?

[BattlestarGalactic]

I think a wide band would be the only real way to know how lean it is.  Unless you just throw some really big jets in it and see what it does.  You may be taking too small of steps?

[BigBlueIron]

What do the plugs look like? Mainly are they all the same color?

[e philpott]

I changed to a richer setting this morning by changing the rods. It still knocked a little while climbing a hill. I slowly pushed the gas to the floor and it labor knocked at wide open. May try the springs next

what metering rod did you start with and which one did you change too ?

 The spring change is really to help keep the Vacuum in control of the metering rod so it will pull the metering rods down for idle , in other words big cams with less vacuum need lighter springs to keep the rods in the correct down position at idle otherwise the metering rod will be "up" in the off idle position while it's still idling

[Ford428CJ]

What plugs are you using!? That could be part of the problem here

[390owner]

The plugs all look the same. They are light tan. The rods I started with are 075/047 then went to 073/042 then 070/037 I think the plugs are autolite

[My427stang]

I really doubt a/f mixture based on info so far, are you sure TDC is right and know curve? If yes maybe too much compression for cam or some other build issue

[Heo]

Checked how the vaccum advance works?

[WConley]

Checked how the vaccum advance works?

Good point!  I've seen engines behave badly when the advance plate gets sticky.

[390owner]

The vacuum advanced is unhooked

[wayne]

I think BattlestarGalactic is right put the big jets in and see how it runs if the plugs are tan its not rich now. If that does not help its not lean.What rear gear do you have and how big are your tires if some how you have 3.25 gear and 38 inch tires the 390 is working hard when pulling a trailer.

[390owner]

3.50 gears and a set of 32 inch tires

[My427stang]

I still think a piston stop, verify TDC, then map out the entire curve...sure mixture contributes to detonation, but when you take an action and it doesn't change something, you might be barking up the wrong tree

Additionally, if you are able to list your specific cam, where it was installed (ICL not location LOL) your actual compression (or the parts you used to include heads) many of us can see if it's a parts mismatch issue

FWIW - It shouldn't be fighting you.  Either too much compression, cam too small or too early, or curve isn't what you think it is, might have a little lean spot somewhere but would like to see what your parts are before throwing fuel at it

[390owner]

Bored 60, stock heads, Had some kind of head work for the cam. Not sure what. I have not check the compression. You are probably looking for 10 to 1 to 9 to 1  I have no idea what it would be. The cam is a comp cam with this number 33-234-4. The engine is sluggish until I get about 1500 rpms. It seems to me this cam would like a lower rearend gear. Once it gets wound up it will really go.