failed smog!
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: El Centro, Ca
failed smog!
so california is crap. took my truck to get a smog and didnt pass the probe in the tailpipe. its a 78 f250 with a 460. it has a holley 670 and was way over the limit on the readings. anyone have a way to pass?
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 97
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My sympathy to you, I failed mine too but not for too much pollution... my timing is too far advanced. See my thread fo all I have gone through. A lot of passing the smog test can be done with proper tuning. Lean your carb adjustment out as much as you can, retard your timing too. You might have to invest in a tune up and carb rebuild as well.
Good luck...
Good luck...
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 83
From: NorCal
I don't think it'll qualify for historic status.
FYI, my Feb 2012 issue of Peterson's 4Wheel & Offroad arrived today and they're having the same issue with a 79 F150 project truck named "Bluferd". It's worth a read. It passed but the author stated it was noticeably down on power.
If your rig is missing emission parts, I recommend ya start trolling the wrecking yards for the correct check valves, thermostatic valves, EGR plate and fittings, load control valve, etc. The fuel vent/evap system also has to check out 4.0. Btw, replacement cats have to be CARB-certified for use in CA and it is illegal for wrecking yards to sell used ones. Magnaflow is the preferred source for certified cats.
For those that reside in the normal parts of the US, 1975 and older rigs in CA (for now?) are exempt from emissions...for a while it was a 30-year, forward-rolling exemption but the State legislature nixed it a few years ago.... effin' dirtbags.
FYI, my Feb 2012 issue of Peterson's 4Wheel & Offroad arrived today and they're having the same issue with a 79 F150 project truck named "Bluferd". It's worth a read. It passed but the author stated it was noticeably down on power.
If your rig is missing emission parts, I recommend ya start trolling the wrecking yards for the correct check valves, thermostatic valves, EGR plate and fittings, load control valve, etc. The fuel vent/evap system also has to check out 4.0. Btw, replacement cats have to be CARB-certified for use in CA and it is illegal for wrecking yards to sell used ones. Magnaflow is the preferred source for certified cats.
For those that reside in the normal parts of the US, 1975 and older rigs in CA (for now?) are exempt from emissions...for a while it was a 30-year, forward-rolling exemption but the State legislature nixed it a few years ago.... effin' dirtbags.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
Excepting the Holley 4V, the 460 engine installed smog parts are the same as 1978 LTD/Marquis/Town Car/Mark V. No 460's installed in Passenger Cars after 1978.
It might be easier to find one a these Passenger Cars in a wrecking yard than a 1978/79 F250/350 or Econoline w/a 460.
The 460 was not available in sold new in CA 1978/79 F150's, not available in F100's after 1977.
Passenger Cars: The 5th digit of the VIN is the engine code: A = 460 / Passenger Cars from 1968 have a VIN plate installed on the left side of the dash, visible thru the windshield.
Historic plates: CA vehicles of this vintage originally came with blue plates with yellow letters. These cannot be retrofitted...period.
CA now allows black plates to be used, but black plates were not used after circa 1971 on trucks (1969...Passenger Cars).
Trucks without a permanent camper shell or over the roof camper have to use expensive to register Commercial plates.
btw: In CA, it's the sellers responsibility that a vehicle will pass the smog test.
CA vehicles: Ford = The DSO code on the Warranty Plate will be either 71 (SoCal) or 72 (NorCal) / Lincoln/Mercury = SoCal or NorCal: 52.
It might be easier to find one a these Passenger Cars in a wrecking yard than a 1978/79 F250/350 or Econoline w/a 460.
The 460 was not available in sold new in CA 1978/79 F150's, not available in F100's after 1977.
Passenger Cars: The 5th digit of the VIN is the engine code: A = 460 / Passenger Cars from 1968 have a VIN plate installed on the left side of the dash, visible thru the windshield.
Historic plates: CA vehicles of this vintage originally came with blue plates with yellow letters. These cannot be retrofitted...period.
CA now allows black plates to be used, but black plates were not used after circa 1971 on trucks (1969...Passenger Cars).
Trucks without a permanent camper shell or over the roof camper have to use expensive to register Commercial plates.
btw: In CA, it's the sellers responsibility that a vehicle will pass the smog test.
CA vehicles: Ford = The DSO code on the Warranty Plate will be either 71 (SoCal) or 72 (NorCal) / Lincoln/Mercury = SoCal or NorCal: 52.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: NorCal
....UNLESS, the buyer acknowledges and accepts the vehicle in "As-Is" condition.
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2009
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From: Tobyhanma, PA
Im so glad I don't live in California. So not only does it have to pass the "sniffer tests" but it also has a visual inspection?
Here in the mountains, you can get "Antique" plates but it limits you're driving to Weekends only and special events/holidays. Also I think you are only supposed to put like 2500 miles a year on it. And it has to be fairly stock looking I believe.
Here in the mountains, you can get "Antique" plates but it limits you're driving to Weekends only and special events/holidays. Also I think you are only supposed to put like 2500 miles a year on it. And it has to be fairly stock looking I believe.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 83
From: NorCal
Yes... all emissions equipment present, connected, and functioning, fuel evap system pressure tested, then the tech sticks a probe up your tailpipe and runs the vehicle under load on rollers.. like a chassis dyno.
I think there are a few counties up north are exempted but all I know is that I don't live in one. I'm in what they call a "non-attainment area".
Certified Thread Hijacker
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 14,441
Likes: 60
Would that be the "State of Jefferson"? They really should split that state up... but 50 states sounds a lot nicer than 51.
Josh
Josh
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
The "State of Jefferson" also included some SW coastal Oregon counties.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
It goes or went by elevation and vehicle equipment.
My F-150 is compliant to 3,500ft for example, and would not pass even when new at say 6,000ft. If I had a address at 6,000, then I would be exempt.
BTW, it is illegal to add a catalytic converter to a vehicle not equipped with one from the factory in California.
I remember when smog testing was only in the Los Angeles area.
My F-150 is compliant to 3,500ft for example, and would not pass even when new at say 6,000ft. If I had a address at 6,000, then I would be exempt.
BTW, it is illegal to add a catalytic converter to a vehicle not equipped with one from the factory in California.
I remember when smog testing was only in the Los Angeles area.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,339
Likes: 32
From: Lost In a Pit of Despair
I don't have to worry about smog testing.. No emissions controls in my county
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,505
Likes: 2,822
What was it over on? HC, NO, CO? Each can have a different cause. If all your equipment was there and you passed the visual, it could be some simple adjustments.