Alrighty!
I think I've solved the pinging problem, but still need to get this vehicle on a smog/LM1. I did the following, based on this topic:
http://itinerant-air-cooled.com/viewtopic.php?t=3665
1. Started out with a cold engine and fiddled with the what Amskeptic calls the "trim adjustment" screw. Played with it until I could get 1/4" movement of the wiper in either direction without much change in RPM. Was about 2 1/2 turns CCW (or so). The engine was getting warm....
2. I knew my my mixture was lean (pinging). So, I then went to what Amskeptic calls the "static adjustment" wiper in the AFM and moved it over 1 tooth CCW to make it richer. I played with the "static adjustment" wiper again, moving it 1/4" either direction. RPMs down a bit CW, but not CCW (but, maybe I have a ham hand).
3. I then brought the RPM up 3,000 and held it there with a screw driver, and again moved the "static adjustment" wiper what I think was 1/16". Same as when I messed with it in #2.
4. The engine was getting hot now I checked the idle speed and timing. All was good. Knowing that I needed to get the engine GOOD AND HOT, I told my 11 year old to jump in and we went to the store (7 miles away; up and down hills) to get some pie crust and sugar for sweet potato pie.
On the drive home, it still had some pining under load and over 3,000 RPM, but not as severe as described in my post a week ago. A week ago, it would ping anytime under uphill load over 2,000 RPM.
5. When I got home, I clicked the "dynamic adjustment" cog CCW 2 teeth, rechecked the "static adjustment" wiper at 3,000 RPM w/ screw driver expertly placed, rechecked idle and timing, and set the timing to 6 degrees. Then, took it for another spin.
6. Now, the pinging is almost gone. I had one ping up the hill in 4th gear when stomped on the accelerator. 3rd gear, up hill, under load I did not hear pinging.
SO........
I think I'm on the right track thanks for the information found and given here, particularly the information provided by Amskeptic in another topic.
Question: why would swapping out the ECU affect the performance in this way? The engine didn't ping with the old ECU and only did AFTER the installation of the new.
Thanks again everyone, especially Colin. I've learned much and have become much more confident with the manipulation of the air/fuel mixture.