rebuilding a rebuilt slant

If you do get pinging problems, one solution is to install a GM 8-pin HEI module, GM knock sensor & module, and an engine controller that can manage the spark. The Holley Commander 950 is one. That is my plan. There was a simpler ignition-only controller called Rabid Gator, but apparently never went live.

I wonder if your engine was one of the lot I saw on ebay a few years ago. They were rebuilt slants in crates, U.S. military surplus, later vintage. I recall they were buy-it-now fairly affordable ($600 or so). If so, probably has a mild, driveable cam.