I might be moving to California for a new job after I graduate. My 77 F250 has a 460 in it that is running close to 500 HP. No cats, no egr. I thought I read something about a 30 year old rule and then it's exempt from CA emissions? Is that true? Is there a way to get it around CA emissions? If I have to, I'll leave it in WI for few years until it is old enough. I was just curious and thinking ahead and watching out for my truck.

 

Maybe post or have this moved to the California Chapter.

This is a regional topic and that's what the chapter's are for.

 

Ryan,
Go here to find out the specifics...

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/smog.htm

good luck!
Dak

 

There is no more rolling exemption in California. Anything newer than model year 1975 requires bi-annual inspections. It will also require a smog test to register it the first time when you bring it in. It is only required to have the original smog related equipment it was manufactured with, so if it never had cats it doesn't need them now. Also, some counties require dyno testing and some do not. Where I live we do not need dyno testing. My truck has no cats, egr, evap system and a Carter AFB and I got it to pass. It's a 76 SC from Washington State with a 460.

 

I have a few questions: First, does the year 1975 year move. Will it be 1976 next year? Secondly, if you live in a county that does not require smog testing, are you free to do whatever you want? Thanks. Ryan

 

No the 1975 year will not move until there is new legislation introduced, and there are no counties that do not require smog testing. They all require smog testing every other year. Some require a dyno and some don't.

 

I see. The job is for Union Pacific. CA is just one of the places that's a possibility. I'll just have to deal with it when the time comes I suppose.

 

There was discussion of another 49 state truck being operated in Calif.

It was exempt as it was not a Built for California operation.

The truck came from an Eastern state with a young lady living and going to school in CA for 4 years.

That thread is in one of the California chapter forums.

 

I have a thread over there too. This just gets more traffic, and so far, many more responses. Thanks for the help, though, Dennis. Much appreciated.

 

Yeah working for the rairoad will require a lot of that "dealing with it when the time comes" business. ;)

What job are you looking at? :)

Alvin in AZ (retired SPRR signalape)

 

I applied for Transportation Associate, which is on the management sides of the operation. I have an interview on Jan. 9 in Chicago. I've heard and read that they're hiring for California like crazy, so I'm just doing my research ahead of time. So, what did you do for the Southern Pacific?

 

Nope no more rolling exemptions I'm afraid. I was told that 1976 and newer will never become exempt by the DMV. But things can and have changed before.


From what I was told the truck must have the original (when new) smog equipment working and functioning properly, either be it 49 state, or California emissions, it must be there and working.

Smog is also ran by the state of California. The counties have very little to do with it other than if you need to do a standard test, or a dynometer test.

Things they search for before and during the tests are...

A: EGR Valve function test.

B: Unleaded Fuel Tank filler restrictors and markings.

C: Charcoal Canister and Fuel evaporation system. (Currently they do not check for functionality, but it's in the planing stages)

D: Gas cap pressure release and seal test.

E: Heat Riser System present. (They dont check for functionality).

F: Check for catalytic converters, holes in exaust system that may dilute readings at the sniffer.

G: Electric choke. A manual choke is an automatic fail unless it came with the truck new.

H: Aftermarket engine parts such as headers, carbs, intakes, cams, etc... that are not registered to be and do not have a California Smog Compliant number is a automatic fail.

I: Thermactor system and components .


Etc... etc...


I've failed the test for a faulty gas cap etc...

Hope this helps...

 

Yes. Thank you for the info. That guarantees that the truck will never, ever pass.

 

That's almost right. I'm one county north of you (Lake) and up here, over in Mendocino and on up north testing is only required (for now) when the vehicle changes ownership. But that still doesn't mean you're allowed to strip the smog off once it passes, although some do.

Doesn't sound like it's gonna be an easy fix for him. I know a guy who brought his '86 down from Washington with a built/stripped 460 in it, no way it would pass. The body was trashed anyway so he bought an '85 with a clean, straight body and a worn out diesel, registered it in his name and then took everything out of the '86 and swapped it into the '85. If he gets pulled over and they get to wondering about it since it's registered as a diesel...well, I'm glad I won't have to pay his fines...

 

"signalman"
"signal maintainer"
"signal ape"
Dig ditches, climb poles, trouble shoot and water batteries.
"I've forgotten more about how to pour water than most guys will ever know!" ;)

Alvin in AZ