yep K*N drop in filter...ive had one for about 4 years and had to get a new one this past summer under warrenty (so it was free) because the old one was falling apart
I dont over oil it though, the inside of my throttle body (plastic where MAF is located) is clean

 

Im pretty sure you have a bad mass-air sensor,been there

 

how much do those cost? I know where it is ive cleaned it several times, but it looks confusing to change out. Any easy way to do this?

 

I was going to say that K&N filters cause spark knock but I believe ffdemoss is already covering that but I was going to ask what is the bast way to clean out the throttle body and ports, I have plenty of sanders and junk just not sure what to use.

 

My 97 4.6 pings too. No check engine light or stored codes. (I have a Snap on scanner) I have to run mid grade fuel to keep it quiet. I have also removed and cleaned the throttle body, replaced the pvc and any vacume lines that looked suspect, replaced the fuel filter, cleaned Mass Airflow Sensor with electronic cleaner. I have a recent air filter, not K&N so no oil on it). I went to Ford and bought the right plugs. I had put Bosch plugs in 6-8 months ago and was never really happy with them. The truck runs great with the new plugs and gets unreal gas mileage but will ping on regular unleaded no matter what temp it is outside.
I am curious to learn more about how to test the MAF to determine. If the DPFE is bad, wont that trigger a code?

 

I had pinging on my 97 4.6L, I never fixed it, I just put in mid-grade gas and it cleared up.

Can anybody tell me what the black plastic thing is with the arrow on it. As far as I can figure it's an elbow. To put my volant system on I had to take this off. Wondering what it did. Sorry this questions isn't relative to your pinging.

 

not sure what it is...ill try and find out

 

I believe it's just a silencer for the air flow. Suppose to stop a whistling sound that could be present if you were to disconnect it.

 

Im sure you can change the mass-air its pretty easy you mentioned you cleaned it several times did you use electrical cleaner only .I don't know how you can test them ,I borrowed one from my friends mustang this is how I found out mine was bad ,you can also try to change your spark plugs to one range colder it helps a little too.

 

I shouldnt have to do that though, especially on a stock motor. These trucks were made to run great on the parts that are on it, and thats what im aiming to do, i just cant figure out whats wrong....im thinking the DFPE or gas/fuel line are my likely suspects....if not, plug wires are the next in line....after that, better stereo speakers so i wont have to hear it ping...

 

I have new wires and Plugs so I am thinking I will see about borrowing a MAF to check it

 

That little box gets replaced with a tube in the K&N intake...


can't be that important...

right?



Look really close.