Might be a daft question but can non turbo cars 'pink'??

 

Yep!

 

apparently yes i got told my old xr3i efi was pinking really bad

 

No apparently about it, they can and do.

 

Used to drive a nearly new transit that pinked, didn't know diesels did.
If it's not pinking it sounds exactly the same with same circumstances causing it.

 

Pinking = Pre-Ignition = Detonation......fuel combusting before it's supposed under compression ( on the compression stroke ) and thus acting against the direction the piston is going briefly. Can be caused by loads of things

 

my xr3 did it,sorted it at garage by gettin it timed up again

 

bit of reading for you
http://www.streetrodstuff.com/Articl...ne/Detonation/