Please look, think I got it...

[slo95]

I am fighting engine ping AND idle problems. I checked the timing again, and noticed the car idles GREAT with the SPOUT connector OUT. As soon as I put the SPOUT in, the advance goes to about 20* (good so far), but then surges(bad I know) up to 30+ and then lopes around until it goes back to around 20*. The engine almost stalls while it is doing this. Is this a bad crankshaft dampener or SPOUT related problem? Also, on the back of the crankshaft dampener, the rubber seal/gromment inside the dampener is sticking out about a 1/4in. all around. Will a new dampener solve this? Stock 95 GT w/ 90K miles.