I just bought a new-to-me 1970 beetle with a 1600SP engine from the original owner. It has always been a sea level car until I bought it. I live at a 7000 foot elevation.
The car has seemed to run ok when the weather was 50 degrees or higher but the plugs showed that it was running rich. Now that the temperature has fallen to below freezing, it seems to be running very rich to the point that it is fowling Bosch W8AC plugs. The compression is low ranging from 58 - 70 psi which would equate to 72 - 86 psi if taken at sea level.
I know the engine is getting tired but I don't want to rebuild it right now. I am currently looking out my window and it looks as though I am in the Sahara Desert during a sand storm but instead of sand, it is snow.
My question is would a hotter plug help? Do I have to rejet my Solex 30-PICT-3 carburetor? So far, I haven't taken it out of the city to actually use the main jet yet. I am using 85 octane gas because I felt it runs hotter than higher octane. Is my assumption correct?
Thanks in advance - Bob