the "pinging that you are describing seems to be inside the engine along the drive shaft or possibly the trans area as I can feel it in my right foot as the engine is under load could this just be engine knock as dave B suggests in the six 240s ive owned ive never heard this particular sound under load--ive blown rod bearings in the past and thats about all I know but those seemed to be as you say like a ball peen knock this isnt as such, Im usually not as paranoid but ive not yet owned a b20 so im unfamiliar with their idiosynchrosies--thanks for your advice