I was looking up some specs for a Saab owner moving to a higher altitude and came across this site:

www.ratwell.com/mirror/saabclub/242/altitude.html

Malsal could you please send me the link to that if you can find it?

Just read an article on this. It said advance the timing but no more than 4 degrees and lean out the mixture. It also said the engine will run hotter at higher altitudes.

That was the 25D distributor and it sure was nice for fine tuning.  I have an A+ engine now so im running the 45D.  The thinner air is also making me wonder if the tropical fan will even make that much of a difference.  The sad thing is there are no mini groups her like in san diego so getting local feedback is challenging.  Most people here don't even know what the car is.

Others with good knowledge will pop in, but the basic answer is "yes" you need to alter tuning for altitude. It has to do with the air being thinner at altitude. I don't recall if it was leaner mixture needed or retarded spark, or both. The original Minis had a distributor which had a small adjustment wheel on the outside to advance/retard timing for varying driving conditions. I liked it because it allowed fine adjsutment of basic timing once you had the dizzy clamped down. It also allowed one to compensate the timing for points wear... a little.

Im sure this is a topic already covered but I figured I would solicit some ideas from folks who may have experienced similar issues as mine.  My issue is running hot but not overheating.  Just running warmer now than what I am used to.  I am currently in Nevada at 5000 feet and the temperatures are around 90 degrees F.  When is was in San Diego my mini used to run at about 85 - 90 degrees C in the summer.  Now being in Nevada it runs around 115 C.  the crazy thing is at idle I run at about 90 degrees C but when cruising the temp creeps up till it gets around 115 C.  Everything is new as I had changed everything when I installed my engine a year ago.  

Here are my specs:

1380 engine with new water pump, 180 F thermostat, large pulley, 11 blade fan, super 2 core radiator

HIF 44 carb with BDK needle

ALDON yellow distributor with total timing set 30 degrees BTDC at 3500 RPM

Im thinking maybe altitude has something to do with this but im looking for someone who has had some experience with my situation to give me some guidance.  I was told that timing should be advanced at higher altitude and a leaner needle added but I haven't been able to confirm this.  I changed the thermostat for good measure but it didn't help.  I checked for vacuum leaks and there are none.  Would a Tropical Fan help my situation or is it only a little better than the plastic fan?  Also the sender was changed but readings remain the same.  I am pretty savvy with mechanical stuff but this has me chasing my tail.  You would think the engine would run hotter at idle than cruising.

If someone could offer some sound advice I would greatly appreciate it.