PUSHING ONWARD WITH UNDERSTEER

Carburetors and High Altitude

This subject always comes up when an event is planned for the Rockies or when someone moves here with their 356.

Do I have to change jets? Basically the answer is no. However, the situation at altitude is, we have less air, not more gasoline.

So, there is no need to put smaller main & idle jets in your carbs.. If you have moved here you could benefit by putting larger air correction jets in your carbs., but not more than one-step.

As with any carburetor you will probably need to adjust the idle mixture screws a bit to compensate. UNLESS your old buddy is idling OK.

The Moral: Let sleeping dogs lie.

Back in the 50’s & 60’s we used to run the passes to Winterpark and Arapaho plus any others we could find in both summer and winter without any difficulty. This was with 356’s in their original settings. Dead stock.

My experience racing a 58 Speedster was the same until I did cam & other modifications. Even then we didn’t mess with the jets when we raced at sea level.

Another Moral: Drive it and don’t worry.

TIP: If you are refreshing your carbs,, (cleaning) and plan to reuse your gaskets and seals and diaphragms put them in a container of gasoline while you soak the carb body. This will prevent them from becoming krispy and shrinking. DON’T put rubber parts in carb. cleaner.

Happy Motoring, Stormin stormin@frii.com

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