I'm going to Wyotech (in Wyoming) in less than a month now, and I'm wandering how my engine will act at this altitude. Am I going to need to adjust the carb on my way to Wyoming (from Illinois)? What kind of things need to be done to my engine and carb once I get there? I know I'm going to need to lean out the carb a bit. Do I need to do anything with timing?
I've got an edelbrock 600 cfm electric choke, on a 305 (LG4 I think), and a T-5 trans if it matters. No emission controls.
Thanks for the help in advance,
Kyle

 

Too bad you don't have the factory computer controlled carb. It would adjust for you as you go.

You'll need to rejet most likely for a leaner mixture, and adjust the idle mixture. It typically helps to advance the timing a bit to regain a small bit of the lost power. About 6 degrees extra is a good starting point, if you get excessive pinging with the 85 octane unleaded, back it off a little.

 

Thanks for the info, thats what I needed. Can't wait to get out there now

 

I guess that was almost all I needed.
Will I need to retune the carb on the way out there, or can I keep it tuned how it is till I get there?

 

You won't have any problems driving at least through Nebraska. When you stop for gas in Cheyenne, if you really get a hair you could lean it down a little.

But, if you leave it until you settle in and have time to make appropriate adjustments, it might use slightly more gas but it isn't going to "run terrible" or anything like that.

 

Check in the manual '1986ROC' (Edelbrock website, if you don't have a copy). There's a high altitude correction, that will give you a baseline.
Make sure you have at least 2 jet sizes below what you have installed on hand.

Going from low alt. to high - You'll run rich = Fouled plugs.
Going from high alt. to low - You'll run lean = Engine bye bye...
This is for extream altitude changes, and if the car is jetted for the starting altitude.

Welcome to high altitude '1986ROC', and be ready to kiss about 30% of your total power goodbye ...

Ron

 

I've got the metering rods and jets I need (I think). I'll know for sure once I get there.
Thanks again for the info, I apriciate it,
Kyle

 

Good luck at the school Kyle.
Don't do what I did, and find yourself in your mid thrities - still in school older then some of the instructors .

Ron

 

Thanks, I'm really excited. As of now, I'm still 17, I'll be 18 on the 18th, so I'll be getting started right away. I'll be out on my own 15 day's after I legally can
Thanks again for the good luck,
Kyle