I found some octane booster at Napa that was 104.  I added it to a full tank and drove about 30 miles.  Seemed to help a bit.  But I added it to a tank that was half 93 and half 89.  So maybe driving some more through will help.  And I'll look for some higher grade octane booster.  I think you are correct that the carb may need a good mechanic who knows the Rochesters to look at it.  We replaced the gaskets and such with a rebuild kit from Corvette Central.  One thing at a time.  Thanks again.

you may want to replace your mechanical advance springs

Thanks, I'll check the advance springs.  I took the car out for a nice long drive yesterday and it seems better.  Anything I can do to make it run better and to it's full potential.

What does "pinging" mean or what does it sound like?  Like the lifters?  Don't laugh, I'm just trying to learn and understand.

Sounds like he has a case of spark knock .

First this "he" is a "she" and my pinging is a knocking noise.  The pistons knocking I believe, has to do with spark detonation if I'm understanding correctly.  I know the newer performance engines have knock sensors that retard the timing as needed to compensate for lower octane and poor quality fuels.  I'm no expert I am just very interested in how the car works and getting it to run so I can enjoy it.  No offense taken about the "he" term though there aren't many women who are corvette lovers and also are interested in the mechanics of their vehicles.  I haven't met a single one and I go to all the shows and cruises.  But at least you don't think my vette looks like a girl car like my husband does, because of the color he says.  But I believe that when I put the 89 octane in I might have also gotten some poor gas.  My thought is that I will put 93 in, that is the highest I can find locally, and add octane boost or higher octane if I can get it.  Does anyone know or have an opinion on which brand of octane booster works best???  I'm told that someone in my area sells 110 octane gas.  There is a race track near so perhaps I can ask around and find some.  Then I will mess with and adjust the timing accordingly.  Thanks again.

[QUOTE=greypoupon69] What does "pinging" mean or what does it sound like?  Like the lifters?  Don't laugh, I'm just trying to learn and understand.[/QUOTE]

"Pinging" is just what was described above, "she" or not!! It is the result of the ignition firing too soon(timing/cylinder pressure)), or improper fuel grade(low octane). Octane is a chemical that helps to reduce/eliminate pinging, or spark knock. The more there is, the less "knock/ping" you will have, at a given timing setting, and compression ratio. There are others here that can explain this better than I(Ken).
Anyway, the sound itself is similar to taking a hammer to the engine block...really fast! It is basically the pistons "hammering" inside the cylinders. It can be confused with a lifter noise, but, Pinging is normally only heard while you're driving down the road, and lifters you can normally only hear at idle.
Does that help? If not, brang that gold thang over here some day, and I'll advance the timing so you can hear what it sounds like.

I too am trying to learn, it is a constant process.  When you describe it as premature ignition firing it makes me giggle, sorry I can't help it. 

[QUOTE=Adams' Apple]"Pinging" is just what was described above, "she" or not!! It is the result of the ignition firing too soon(timing/cylinder pressure)), or improper fuel grade(low octane). Octane is a chemical that helps to reduce/eliminate pinging, or spark knock. The more there is, the less "knock/ping" you will have, at a given timing setting, and compression ratio. There are others here that can explain this better than I(Ken).
Anyway, the sound itself is similar to taking a hammer to the engine block...really fast! It is basically the pistons "hammering" inside the cylinders. It can be confused with a lifter noise, but, Pinging is normally only heard while you're driving down the road, and lifters you can normally only hear at idle.
Does that help? If not, brang that gold thang over here some day, and I'll advance the timing so you can hear what it sounds like. [/QUOTE] Yeah, that's a very good explaination!  Thank you, Gomer!  I'm hearin' a "tick tick", so it's lifters.  

That's just the clock Micki.