See if you all have any ideas:

1983 F250, 460 CID. Just rebuilt, 30 over. Took it in and it is reading high on the HC's during idle. No Cat on this truck or I would have changed that out and probally would have taken care of the problem.
Checked the timing and it was off a couple of degrees, reset it but haven't retested yet.
Checked EGR. It will cause engine to idle poorly when vac is applied, but doesn't kill engine...normal or not?
What is the best way to adjust carb? I just went back and forth between the two mixture screws until it sounded and ran good. Both screws are out about three turns. Is the a better more precise method?

Any help on this would be appreciated, the owner doesn't want to sink more money into this truck, if is isn't needed...don't blame him. I thought the thing would pass with flying colors once we rebuilt the engine......if it wasn't for the weather out here I would move to another state!

 

if you want to pass CA smog, you prolly need an exhaust analyzer

 

In Oregon there are service stations that will adjust the engine to pass the emissions test and then will re-adjust (so it will run/idle properly) once you've passed. I'm sure they have the same sort of thing in your state...

Deen
P.S. This is not a statement that I condone that sort of thing...it's just a statement of fact that it does happen.

 

I have access to an exhaust analyzer, dianogisic reader all that kind of stuff. However, I just thought if the engine had just been rebuilt it should have passed without any problems. What is the most common problem with the high HC count? I have heard that 460's can be a pain in the butt to get to pass.

DEAN I am sure there are stations here that will do the same thing, though they are not supposed to. Of course, any of them will do the repairs, adjustments to get you to pass if you are willing to pay the fees for repairs. CA, or at least in our area has really tightened down on all of this smog stuff. They just recently installed new improved machines, have a differant test pattern and ways to test. There has even been talk of the state installing video cameras to watch the tech as he checks vehicles. This is to ensure he is measuring the vehicle he says he is. I took my wife's car in and it had a small leak at one of the transmission line connectors and the guy said I would have to fix it or he would fail me for the leak. This holds true for oil or coolant leaks also.
Like I said, I am sure there are stations that are not as strict, I could probally find one, but there isn't any reason why this truck shouldn't pass. It isn't mine, so I would really like to find out what the problem is and repair it for the guy. He doesn't know anything about engines and is a friend, so don't what him to have to worry about it later down the road, no matter where he decides to take it.

Still looking for a good method to adjust the carb. I guess, I could hook it up to the machine and get the numbers to match, but is this a good way to adjust and still have the engine running well?

 

The ideal way to adjust a carb is to hook up a vacumn gauge to carb " not ported" set to highest vacumn. If this will get you through smog who knows, also you might try spraying water in your carb this will cut carbon, clean valves, and pistons. Ever seen an engine with a blown head gasket notice how clean cylinders are where water got?