i need some engine advice

You can definitely run 68-71 340 pistons with pump gas and the stock cam with most stock engines. The factory spec'ed 10.5:1, but the compression was rarely that high. The compression on my '68 340 was closer to 9.5:1 stock based on the chamber volume of the heads, it would run 91 octane no problem.

I guess that pinging was in my head. Of course I ran full advance.