All that would be of importance is the mechanical inspection for a regular vehichle Lisc. and libility insurance.
I'm not sure without checking but any law for motors and cars would only go back to about 1974 model year when emissions first started.
You could not be expected to make 53 ahere to emission rules that don't exist.
If your interested, any vehichle 25 years old or more could apply for a permant collector or antique plate.
There would be legal restrictions on the use of the vehichle such as for work, every day use etc would not be allowed on this Lisc.
The insurance company would also place restictions on there 'as stated' allowed use such as for parades, shows, club events etc and possibly a milage limit per year. Seldom is anyone ever hassled about it but it's there should a problem arise.
Actually, on a collector or antique plate; If a police officer were to see the vehichle every day or very often, he is entitled to find out why. If the vehichle were to be used everyday for going to work or otherwise as any other vehichle would be used, he can take the plate on the spot and your into a problem trying to get away using it for regualar use..
Otherwise for inspection they would not care what motor you have in a 1953 vehichle because there are no standards to go by except the motor as a 6 cylinder OHV or the flat head v8 of that year... OHV v8 began the next year 1954.
Good luck.

 

How smart are the inspection techs up there? A lot of Texas inspectors don't realize that Ford trucks under 8500lbs 1992-1996 came with two pre cats that go into a single main cat. I have a exhaust guy down here that will do anything, including removing all the cats, and pass us for $20 extra (its nice paying 60 for a inspection and knowing your guaranteed to pass)


I was told they pull all 4 wheels and tires off in PA, check all pads/shoes/ect. I was told they are insane on inspections... but I will be moving in a rural county (Schuylkill) which I don't believe requires a tail pipe test on all 95 and older vehicles.

My real question is if I remove all of my converters 2 pre, 1 main, then run new pipe into a Y and add one highflow converter, will they realize its not factory spec? Aftermarket converters usually only pass for 2 years after installed from my own experience. Should I install a converter at all? I have a few hallow converters I can throw on there. I am planning on keeping my stock exhaust for a while until it rusts out.

 

The inspectors can be picky, but it's all about the shop. My 2000 wasn't legal, but I found a shop that passed it. I was never hassled by LOE's...

I can't answer your exhaust question, sorry.

 

According to this:PA DEP I/M - Information for Drivers in "Other Counties"

they will do a visual check to see if everything is there. I would not remove the cat converter.

The truth of the matter is it depends on who is doing the checking and how much they will nit pick your truck.

Once you get up here, ask around about different shops and how strict they are.

 

It doesn't have to be a OE converter. If it came with a converter then it should have one. They only have to pull 2 wheels. There is nothing " insane " about the Pa. inspections. It insures there is no dangerous junk ran on our roads & helps leep the doors open in all our small repair shops.

 

Pa inspection 1997 up.
Windshield for cracks in the viewing area,
Wipers work,
All lights work,
Exhaust is in place with no leaks,
Two wheels pulled to check pads and lining,
Front ball jounts for wear,
Tires for min. tread,
Gas tank cap test for holding a seal,
Emissions from the data link port into a computer that has full time link to the Pa motor veh. dept.
Any CEL on caused by any monitor other than the Evap system will fail at most shops.
There are some special areas that may get an I&M test such as the Phlila. area.
There is not much room to cheat except on visual inspection and check. i
It's up to the shop. If they let something go and the owner is stopped for it, the shop could be called on it.
Good news is some time emissions may be done away with.
Physical inspection will aways be done for safety reasons.
BTW, the only state that is insane for inspection is CA.

Good luck.

 

Ah. well down here I used to do inspections and there is so many ways to cheat inspections its crazy if you know how to work the machine. For example, we have a test mode where you can input the data for the vehicle (I.E. 1995 F150 5.8L 6200lbs gvw) and run a full test, everything like the real test just not charging money or sending results to texas dot. You can make adjustments to timing, get cats hotter, ect, while testing it over and over to make it smog pass. We've made several cars we never though would pass...pass just by running way too lean for a few minutes. When on the dyno or a 2 speed idle test the best method is staying at the highest point of the parameter window of rpm.

Most people down here believe that if your check engine light is on than you will fail, but that's only if its a engine code. you can have 10 tranny codes and body codes that set off a cel and still pass, the inspector will be scratching his head when the machine says pass. I've also had tons of early obd2 vehicles fail due to cats being removed and "Cataylist inefficient" code, cleared codes driven 25 miles, pulled in a inspection shop and passed it.

 

Only comment is 97 and later you can't do much to make Emissions pass from outside influences on a Ford.
OBDII got tighened up about 200% over the old system due to what you and others were doing.
If there are codes set, there set.
Either fix them or no pass because a code 1000 is set until all monitors test clear.
No one can get around this not even a dealer.
As soon as anything is done with the PCM, a code clear, a power down, a program change; the code 1000 sets until the program test completes all diagnostic sections.
As of 2004 the OBDII version has again changed to a European standard called 'CAN'.
In these programs there are well over 1500 codes that could be set.
Most of us only see a few over the time we own a vehichle.
Good luck.

 

I feel like the obd2 system is even easier to pass if you know what your doing. I passed my 98 Crown victoria on obd2 testing 3 years in a row with no catalytic converters and a clogged egr. All my obd2 self tests would be completed after 25 miles (well i forget how many there is but you only have to have 90% of them complete to pass the test) the car would pass then 5-10 miles down the road check engine light back on. In Texas your supposed to have a visual check but nobody ever checks a obd2 with no check engine light on.

 

None of what you said makes any sense unless you use Mil eliminators for the cats. The code for the cats in that condition would be 420.
The EGR would set a code 401 for that condition.
You no doubt was is a position to have things overlooked.
Someone came in with an EGR hack to fool the EGR, thinking it was of value instead of repairing the problem.
This is not what this board is all about.
You guys down there think about things quite differently.
We have a basic difference in position.
Up here, if you come, you will have to change it somewhat.
Good luck.

 

 

Anyone know the laws about driving without doors or with half doors?

 

I see Jeepers doing that stuff a lot around my area, but I don't know how legal it is.

 

I'm glad this post reared its ugly head again. Look around you...you'll see vehicles with a fresh inspection sticker that has holes in the body. Then do an online search to find fatalites or just plain accidents per X miles. You'll find that Ohio is only marginally ahead of PA...now consider Ohio still doesn't have a safety inspection (although they DO have emissions inspections...idiots!).

There are only TWO reasons to have a safety inspection: to keep the little garages in business, and to generate revenue for the Commonwealth. As far as the latter...if a garage can't make money on repairs and relies on doing as many inspections as the law will allow, then they should close their doors.

Pat

 

(f) Doors

- A vehicle specified under this subchapter shall be equipped with doors of a type used as original equipment. The doors shall open and close securely unless the vehicle has been manufactured or modified to the extent that there is no roof or side.
Tailgates, except on vehicles where the tailgate gives access to the passenger compartment, may be replaced with wood planking, nets or other material that will prevent loss of load. Tailgates may be removed when optional equipment, for example a truck camper, is added.

Again, if you look hard enough, I'm sure you could find someone to pass it. After all we see Jeeps out there with half doors.




This is under the actual process of inspection:

175.80. INSPECTION PROCEDURE.
(a) External Inspection -



An external inspection shall be performed as follows:


(i) The doors, except a tailgate on a pick-up truck, are not on the vehicle if originally fitted by the manufacturer.


(ii) The doors, including the tailgate, do not open and close securely, unless the vehicle has been manufactured or modified to the extent that there is no roof or side.

So I would take that as a half door would be legal, as long as it closes, and latches.