I run a 98 Dodge 360 mag. 4x4 ext. cab auto trans. for work/hauling/pulling. It pulls the car trailer, 30' travel trailer and other hauling duties. It has been performing flawlessly till this problem started. It first appeared under heavy load. Then as some time past it now involves normal driving. The engine does pings under normal excelleration about everytime. I have tried many top name brands of fuel treament/cleaners, new plugs, injector cleaners. No coolant leaks either. I am told the timing is non adjustable. Any thoughts as to what is wrong and how to remidey this problem?

there is a trick where if you can get a little water in the engine, it will steam cleans the inside of itself....

i have heard of that for years but never tried it. i also believe that using some trans fluid helps clean things up too. i did pour sea foam directly into the vacum system and then shut it down for 5 min and then restart which is supposed to do the same thing. i tried that process three times so far. always getting a little better and then it goes right back to the way it was in no time. as far as the water goes, i wonder does it have to go down the throttle body of can it go into the main pcv?
Gutz

could be a bad knock sensor

would a bad knock sensor show a code? i have scanned with no stored codes.

Gutz

no a knock sensor will not always trip the ses light, but will it show up in memory, I can't say for sure?? this is from alldata for my nissan truck, Did you also scan for pending codes too?
"Component Description
The knock sensor is attached to the cylinder block. It senses engine knocking using a piezoelectric element. A knocking vibration from the cylinder block is sensed as vibrational pressure. This pressure is converted into a voltage signal and sent to the ECM. Freeze frame data will not be stored in the ECM for the knock sensor. The MIL will not light for knock sensor malfunction. The knock sensor has one trip detection logic."

Update, my intake manifold gasket on the underside of the intake was getting sucked in and causing a major lean condition. Dodge mechanic told me that this a common problem with the 318/360ci engines. Replaced it and it runs better than ever.

AFAIK, there is no knock sensor on a Dodge. You did the right thing taking it to the mechanic.