[JhwShark]

Take a compression test...you indicate timing is OK. Something up with valves is the possibility.

You also mention pings going uphill. Typically, what gear do you put it in when going up hills?? or do you let the car shift on the uphill??

Occasionally pings between shifts...when the car does it's own shifting, such that at the top of the rpm's prior to the shift it pings?? y or n