OldeAlp(at)aol.com wrote:
> When I made my reservations at Northwoods Resort, I asked the clerk about the
> altitude - she told me it was 6,800 feet.
>
> On Saturday, the San Diego club had a back country tour to an antique truck
> museum and a railroad museum. On the return, several of us made a run up to
> Mt. Laguna Lodge, elevation approximately 6,000 feet.
>
> Yes, altitude makes a performance difference. One car which was running rich
> at sea level really loaded up at height and was running pretty rough until
> coming back down the hill. High altitude air has less oxygen by volume than
> low altitude air, so with a sea level air/fuel mixture setting, combustion is
> incomplete in the mountains due to oxygen starvation. So, you will want to
> lean out your carburetion mixture for the elevation - just remember to
> readjust when you get back down or you can cause some valve/piston burning.
>
> Another thing to consider is radiator caps. Water boils at a lower
> temperature at high altitude and the pressure can result in boil over even if
> you are not overheating. A good cap shouldn't present a problem, but if you
> haven't had yours checked lately, this is the time to do it or carry a new
> spare.
>
> Remember what changes you make, 'cuz you'll get to do them again next year for
> SUNI III at Big Sky, Montana - I understand that's at about 8,000 feet!
>
> "Ole" Olson
>
> P.S. Be careful trying to pass slow moving traffic on the mountain roads - it
> takes a lot longer (a whole lot longer) than you expect.