Catalytic Converters

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Sep 27, 2001 | 10:48 AM

BEAVER

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From: USA

Catalytic Converters

Another question I forgot to add to my last post. My truck is a 1977 F-250 with the 351-M. My question is whether or not these trucks had catalytic converters on them when they were made. The current exhaust on the truck is rotting away and needs to be completely replaced. The truck does not currently have cats on it. When I called around looking for exhaust prices, two shops told me that the truck will have to have cats put on it at a cost of $300 a piece. When I told him the age of the truck, and that I don't believe the truck ever had cats, he told me Ford started putting them on in 1975. I am pretty sure they werent there in the first place, and I'm not going to put them on. Is there a way to tell by the VIN if there were cats on it? I don't mean to be a pain with all these posts, but this is my first Ford PU and the only way I'll learn is to ask questions. Thanks to everyone who has responded to my previous posts.

Brendan
1977 F-250 4x4
351M / 4 Speed
33" BFG Tires
Red

Sep 27, 2001 | 10:52 AM

beartracks

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Joined: Nov 2000

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From: Albuquerque

Catalytic Converters

It was based on weight initially. I don't think yours had them. Mine did.

1977 Ford F-100
400m/c6/4:11/Gear Vender O.D.
Crane hydralic roller, forged, ported polished,Deamon,Edlebrock, yada, yada, yada
280,000 miles
Stock on the outside
modified/rebuilt everything

Sep 27, 2001 | 12:10 PM

BigBrownTruck

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Catalytic Converters

Those years were a mix of Cat and Non cat.... somewhat dictated by the size of truck and what state it was destined to be sold in. A giveaway about whether your truck was a Catalyst truck would be: gas gauge has Unleaded Gas only printed on it..... Gas filler has same decal...... engine has it's original sticker that either starts out on top w/ the words Catalyst or NonCatalyst apparently the VIN has this in it for a definitive answer if you know how to decode it.

BBT

Sep 27, 2001 | 02:41 PM

78f250

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Catalytic Converters

I don't think the 3/4 tons had cats....

Sep 27, 2001 | 03:58 PM

rwjr

Tuned

Joined: Apr 2001

Posts: 443

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From: Athens, AL

Catalytic Converters

true about cat and non cat trucks in late 70s....a sure-fire way to know if you have to have them is to check your filler neck...if it has a restrictor plate, with the little metal flapper, it is supposed to have cats....if it is a wide-open filler, cats are NOT supposed to be there....the restrictor is to prevent the insertion if the larger nozzled leaded fuel pumps...i ran into the problem of having to install cats on a 79 bronco i had....with the restrictor...i had a wide open filler sittin around from a tank replacement on another one, so i installed it, and went back and passed inspection....

Sep 27, 2001 | 04:02 PM

Bullitt390

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Catalytic Converters

The neighbor to me has a 76 stock with no cats and a 75 stock with cats. F-100's BTW

Josh

Sep 27, 2001 | 09:37 PM

supercab78

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From: Ohio

Catalytic Converters

It all depands on the GVW capacity. I think some half tons may not have had CATS. Don't know of any 3/4 tons having them. Your fuel gauge will say unleaded fuel on for the CATS