Sounds about right for an 89-90 with an auto trans,
a little low for a 5 speed, but not too bad.
What you think is spark knock is actually piston slap,
and I would suggest you let the trucklet warm up
before getting on it in the cold weather. Also use 5-30
weight motor oil, I would use 0-30 if I could find it in
other than Mobil1, great cold weather starting oil.
You could advance the timing to about 12* advance,
that should help the performance some, but I think you
might be running a worn engine, and your mileage shows
that the engine is working harder and not getting 23-28
like others have got with a 5 speed
Wild