[Christ]

Knock sensor = disconnectable. You're not going to get pre-ignition with a retarded motor that only has something like 8.5:1 compression... at least not enough to destroy the motor, unless you're really lugging it, and I can demonstrate how difficult it is to lug this motor. I've pulled it all the way down to 800 RPM on the tach at WOT in 5th gear and it doesn't shake or sound like it's coming apart at the seams. As soon as I got off the knoll, back to the flat, it just started accelerating happily.

I do this in Gerald (the mtn truck, granny 4 spd) all the time, and that carb'd 83(?) has never complained about it, either.