Emissions Tampering
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Senior User
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From: North Carolina
Emissions Tampering
1978 F250 Custom 460J
How does one determine exactly what emissions components a particular vehicle had installed at the factory? How does an inspection station look at my 1978 460 and know exactly what parts should or should not be on the engine. During these years some vehicles had emissions controls like EGR and some didn't.
I bought my truck used and pre-rebuilt by someone else (actually who knows how many times). For example for my question - the current intake manifold has a capped off EGR system. How would I know (or specifically the inspection agent) if that engine came with that manifold or if it came with that manifold and the EGR was capped off at the factory?
I would prefer my engine to be as clean of unneccessary components as possible. But I still want to be able to pass an inspection.
So I guess to get by I need to determine exactly how that engine looked when it left the factory. I've got tons of info like the VIN and casting numbers etc. I don't see that any of them point to emissions components.
TIA
How does one determine exactly what emissions components a particular vehicle had installed at the factory? How does an inspection station look at my 1978 460 and know exactly what parts should or should not be on the engine. During these years some vehicles had emissions controls like EGR and some didn't.
I bought my truck used and pre-rebuilt by someone else (actually who knows how many times). For example for my question - the current intake manifold has a capped off EGR system. How would I know (or specifically the inspection agent) if that engine came with that manifold or if it came with that manifold and the EGR was capped off at the factory?
I would prefer my engine to be as clean of unneccessary components as possible. But I still want to be able to pass an inspection.
So I guess to get by I need to determine exactly how that engine looked when it left the factory. I've got tons of info like the VIN and casting numbers etc. I don't see that any of them point to emissions components.
TIA
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Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Gainesville, FL
DC,
Generally, a vehivle over 20 years of age is exempt from emmission test. This was true for me here in Florida and in Michigan, as well.
If you have any, "Unleaded Fuel Only" stickers at the gas tank filler neck or on the gauge, the vehicle came with catylitic converters. The fill neck will have a restrictor in it, as well. An air pump would be equip as well in that case. An EGR has never helped anyone pass an emissions test. I can't remember anyone ever checking for one. It's the missing cats they get excited about.
Good Luck,
KingFisher
Generally, a vehivle over 20 years of age is exempt from emmission test. This was true for me here in Florida and in Michigan, as well.
If you have any, "Unleaded Fuel Only" stickers at the gas tank filler neck or on the gauge, the vehicle came with catylitic converters. The fill neck will have a restrictor in it, as well. An air pump would be equip as well in that case. An EGR has never helped anyone pass an emissions test. I can't remember anyone ever checking for one. It's the missing cats they get excited about.
Good Luck,
KingFisher
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From: Washington
Also, I don't think it's "emissions components a particular vehicle had", rather its the equipment a particular engine had.
I have a 1978 f150 with a 460 as well. My 460 is a 1977 pulled from an LTD. Although I'm emissions exempt in my state, all vehicles have to pass a safety inspection and any engine that had emissions equipment from 1973 on has to have all components of that system to pass the safety inspection. In my case, they'd be looking for the emissions that a 1977 LTD with a 460 would have had. They obviously can't go by what a 1978 f150 4x4 with a 460 had since that combination never existed.
I have a 1978 f150 with a 460 as well. My 460 is a 1977 pulled from an LTD. Although I'm emissions exempt in my state, all vehicles have to pass a safety inspection and any engine that had emissions equipment from 1973 on has to have all components of that system to pass the safety inspection. In my case, they'd be looking for the emissions that a 1977 LTD with a 460 would have had. They obviously can't go by what a 1978 f150 4x4 with a 460 had since that combination never existed.
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From: Ont. Can.
Free Air :
My '78 is also emision test exempt in Ont. Can as the cut off is 20 years .
Bought mine new with a 351M but am the certain the 400's and 460's here came with the same gear .
EGR and vacume can for the door in the breather . That's it , thats all up here till 1980 .
Bought mine new with a 351M but am the certain the 400's and 460's here came with the same gear .
EGR and vacume can for the door in the breather . That's it , thats all up here till 1980 .
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From: North Carolina
Did all the 460s in the 70s come with EGR? I would have thought EGR would have only come on those engines with unleaded requirements like the tank filler restrictor and unleaded fuel only on the fuel gauge.
So if I have a 460 in a 78 F250 and no EGR and no "unleaded fuel only" label and no restrictor in the filler neck that's a legitimate engine configuration for that era???
So if I have a 460 in a 78 F250 and no EGR and no "unleaded fuel only" label and no restrictor in the filler neck that's a legitimate engine configuration for that era???
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From: Washington
Originally Posted by dcdave
So if I have a 460 in a 78 F250 and no EGR and no "unleaded fuel only" label and no restrictor in the filler neck that's a legitimate engine configuration for that era???
The "unleaded" sticker just means you don't need a cat. And I'm not sure if a dual exhaust is permissable (if you've got that) in certain situations.
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From: USA
in an california and arizona are pretty much the same....for mine i have to have the line running from the oil cap to the aircleaner, the charcal canister, and the egr...none of my stuff works, and the line from the charcal canister that is supposed to be run to the air cleaner i cut off and tucked it behind a frame rail so it looked like it was going somewhere....the service people have a few diagrams to look at depending on what year and engine it is. cats are the big thing, dual exhaust doesnt matter, aslong as u leave the cats if u had any, but if not ur good.
what works for me on the emissions testing is to just get it running real sweet with a fresh tune up, then put in some premium fuel, and take the test, passed everytime.
what works for me on the emissions testing is to just get it running real sweet with a fresh tune up, then put in some premium fuel, and take the test, passed everytime.
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In California the vehicle age for emissions tesating is 29 years. THe DMV claims 30 years, but the way they do their math makes it 29. So, if this is 2004, subtract 29 years, and you find that the 1975 year models (regardless of production date) does not need to be tested. Now, legally this does not mean you do not have to keep all the original equipment on it, but they no longer test it every other year.
Each year has slightly different configurations of smog equipment. Indeed, it is not unlikely that each model and option package may have different configurations. THis means, that it is unlikely that anyone here can really tell you how your vehicle should be configured. But, it is possible to get some good guidelines, and to look for general configurations.
Someone mentioned that the label "Unleaded Fuel Only" means you have a cat converter. This may or may not be true. 3/4 ton trucks were not require (I think) to have a cat until about 1988 or so. But many of them before that date have the unleaded fuel stickers.
I bet if you get ahold of a Ford original shop manual it will have the propper smog configuration for your vehicle, and that will be the only sure source.
Each year has slightly different configurations of smog equipment. Indeed, it is not unlikely that each model and option package may have different configurations. THis means, that it is unlikely that anyone here can really tell you how your vehicle should be configured. But, it is possible to get some good guidelines, and to look for general configurations.
Someone mentioned that the label "Unleaded Fuel Only" means you have a cat converter. This may or may not be true. 3/4 ton trucks were not require (I think) to have a cat until about 1988 or so. But many of them before that date have the unleaded fuel stickers.
I bet if you get ahold of a Ford original shop manual it will have the propper smog configuration for your vehicle, and that will be the only sure source.
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From: North Carolina
Well best I can tell from shop manual research all the 460s in 78 had EGRs on them from the factory. Still not sure how an inspection mechanic would know that unless he/she had personal knowledge of that. The manual does not talk about non-EGR systems at all. It also looks like the 78s all came with automatic chokes that were connected to the EGR too.
So crap. :-) I'd like to run a straight performer on my machine. Guess I'm being picky though. It doesn't really affect perf whether it works or not. Just would like to have as clean an engine as possible.
So crap. :-) I'd like to run a straight performer on my machine. Guess I'm being picky though. It doesn't really affect perf whether it works or not. Just would like to have as clean an engine as possible.
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From: Washington
Originally Posted by dcdave
Just would like to have as clean an engine as possible.
Besides, just think about all of the fuel you're using when you could be driving a hybrid that gets 50mpg!
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From: North Carolina
Originally Posted by toolz_not_toyz
Is that even possible with a 460?
Besides, just think about all of the fuel you're using when you could be driving a hybrid that gets 50mpg!
Besides, just think about all of the fuel you're using when you could be driving a hybrid that gets 50mpg!
I mean't "clean" as in nothing on the motor that it didn't need to run or perform at it's best. I've got a 50mpg motorcycle I ride every day. My truck engine is my toy.
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From: Calhoun, ga
All I can say is I hope no emissions cop sits behind Harrison whilst he's idling....heh heh heh....if he doesn't die from the fumes my long overlap Lunati puts out he'd throw the book at me for what this thing spits out the 3" pipes!! 
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From: Washington
Originally Posted by dcdave
I mean't "clean" as in nothing on the motor that it didn't need to run or perform at it's best.
I must be missing something...
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From: North Carolina
Didn't mean to confuse, sorry. I do want to comply with emissions regualtions but only if it's absolutely necessary.
Examples:
- if they made 1978 460 F250s that did not have EGR then mine now happens to be one of those so I'm free to install a non-EGR Edelbrock dual plane intake manifold and pass an inspection
- if they made 1978 460 F250s that did not have cats then mine now happens to be one of those so I'm free to install a header and dual exhaust system without cats and pass an inspection
otherwise:
- if they made all 1978 460 F250s EGR then mine will likely have to have and EGR manifold to pass an inspection
Make sense now? :-)
Examples:
- if they made 1978 460 F250s that did not have EGR then mine now happens to be one of those so I'm free to install a non-EGR Edelbrock dual plane intake manifold and pass an inspection
- if they made 1978 460 F250s that did not have cats then mine now happens to be one of those so I'm free to install a header and dual exhaust system without cats and pass an inspection
otherwise:
- if they made all 1978 460 F250s EGR then mine will likely have to have and EGR manifold to pass an inspection
Make sense now? :-)