Edelbrock heads.

Ed. 60179s on my 340. With iron X heads it was pinging, even on 93 octane gas with the timing retarded. Put these heads on, it runs smoother, cooler, and no more pinging even with the timing advanced to where it should be.
So the theory is proven in your case .... good to hear a real experience. Do you know your static and dynamic CR's by any chance?