Catalytic Converters
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2005
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Catalytic Converters
I have a 1978 F-150 with a 302. This truck has been in my family since it was new. It never had a catalytic converter or an EGR valve since day one.
Recently, after moving to the Dallas area, I decided I wanted to put dual exhausts back on it. When I went to a local muffler shop, they informed me that I would be required to put converters on it.
It seems to me that this would be bad for the truck since it was never an emissions equipped vehicle. Since there is no EGR, wouldn't the converters get clogged up pretty quickly?
I always read that most converter failures are caused by other malfunctioning parts of an emissions equipped vehicle. Is my thinking incorrect?
Recently, after moving to the Dallas area, I decided I wanted to put dual exhausts back on it. When I went to a local muffler shop, they informed me that I would be required to put converters on it.
It seems to me that this would be bad for the truck since it was never an emissions equipped vehicle. Since there is no EGR, wouldn't the converters get clogged up pretty quickly?
I always read that most converter failures are caused by other malfunctioning parts of an emissions equipped vehicle. Is my thinking incorrect?
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Joined: Oct 2005
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Does the engine sticker on the valve covers or hood say catalyst or non-catalyst? That's what always seems to be the determining factor for me in Oregon. Also, if the fuel filler tube has the restrictors for unleaded gas only nozzle. If it did, it probably had cats. Another place to look is the fuel guage and if it says "unleaded fuel only". Leaded fuel would screw up the converters, so if it said unleaded only, it probably had cats, if it's stock.
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The sticker on the valve cover says non-catalyst and the fuel filler is not restricted. Also, there is no return line to the fuel tank for a vapor cannister. The engine is stock with no EGR. My parents bought the truck brand new in the spring of 1978 and it has never been sold.
This truck even came from the factory with an oil bath air cleaner which I still have. I took it off and put on one with a paper element that I got from a guy with a 79. I am going to put the oil bath back on though because the paper element filter housing is rubbing on the air conditioner line that runs back along the firewall.
I may have to take the truck back to another county to get the work done.
This truck even came from the factory with an oil bath air cleaner which I still have. I took it off and put on one with a paper element that I got from a guy with a 79. I am going to put the oil bath back on though because the paper element filter housing is rubbing on the air conditioner line that runs back along the firewall.
I may have to take the truck back to another county to get the work done.
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Joined: Oct 2005
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Maybe show the exhaust guy the sticker on the valve cover. If not, go somewhere else. There are shops out there, just have to look a little harder. Some "books" will show all 78's will have a cat, but even DEQ here in OR knows there is some discrepency in the book vs. what the factory sent out. Good luck!
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Thanks for the pep talk!
Life used to be so simple when I lived in East Texas.
Now since I moved to the Dallas area, it seems like every time I want to do something, it takes an act of Congress. It was so annoying having some kid who was barely out of high school, sort of reading me my rights and acting like I had no idea what I was talking about.
I only put the single exhaust back on because I didn't like the way the headers required the pipe to be bent to get over the transmission cross member. Besides, they didn't really seem to help perfomance anyway.
But, having the single exhaust on the truck did seem to take away it's "personality". Oh well, time to go find another muffler shop.
Thanks guys!
Life used to be so simple when I lived in East Texas.
Now since I moved to the Dallas area, it seems like every time I want to do something, it takes an act of Congress. It was so annoying having some kid who was barely out of high school, sort of reading me my rights and acting like I had no idea what I was talking about.
I only put the single exhaust back on because I didn't like the way the headers required the pipe to be bent to get over the transmission cross member. Besides, they didn't really seem to help perfomance anyway.
But, having the single exhaust on the truck did seem to take away it's "personality". Oh well, time to go find another muffler shop.
Thanks guys!
