phew.......the plot thickens
you mention distributer cables, and vaccum hoses
there maybe a possibility the vacccum hoses not connected proper, and yes, your engine conditions sounds very much like a pinging sound, too much advance
i believe yours is L-jet, if it is, the distributor can be turned less for more retard, and this can be verified by a timing light aimed at the front pulley, which has a mark,- i forgot where it is
if yours is a motronic, hmmm.....i have to see and hear this sound before further diagnose, don't wanna give false/wrong advise
