pa joe I feel tom is right on the money, here in vermont we have a few hills not so high as outwest but do have some steep inclines I find Miss Elizabeth likes a litte retarded spark up hill and opening the GAV a bit to keep float full helps a lot,, do not lug, repeat do not lug up hills as it will beat up your babbits if you got em... also Pop always said go down the hill in the same gear you went up it in... bobbycoke