Hi Guys,
I have a 1979 F150 4x4 Short Bed CA vehicle w/400/auto. My truck runs 100% propane and I can't register it until it passes the CA smog requirements, of course. I went to a local truck shop who specialized in propane vehicles and they told me what my requirements were for this truck. My requirments are an EGR valve, a smog pump and a PCV valve, and advised me to go to AllData online for the details to hook everything up and make it all work. I tried that and AllData only goes back to 1980, my luck.

I have an aftermarket air cleaner on the four barrel propane carb. What I think might be most helpful would be photos of the hose connections and bracket mountings on a CA vehicle. The PCV valve is installed and I think I have the pump bracket, though I'm not sure where to mount it, and I do have the pump, but I don't even know what the EGR valve looks like or where it is on the engine.

I know this is a lot to ask of anyone but can anyone out there give me a hand, it would really be appreciated.

I live in East San Francisco Bay Area, in Hercules, CA. If any of you live nearby however, it might be simpler for me to just look at such a vehicle.

Thanks for any help you may be able to provide.

Regards,
Paul

 

You are 100% propane and NO PROVISIONS FOR GASOLINE, right?

If so, you should be able to change the motive power and be exempt IIRC the last time I read through this stuff with the DMV.

Have you asked about it in those terms with the DMV?

 

The EGR valve mounts to the carb spacer/EGR plate, but what spacer plate will work?

Ford didn't offer a 400 (or a 351M) with a 4V carb.

So the only plate that might work is one from a 1973 or 1974 passenger car w/a 351C 4V, if the carb matches the spacer, and the spacer will work with whatever intake manifold was used.

1973 was the first year for EGR valves, 1974 was the last year for 351C engines.

 

Oops, looks like I am living in the past. It appears they changed the rules to check for bad systems & people who change back.

For more info directly from the source:

Subject Top Page: Aftermarket, Performance and Add-On Parts Regulations

Good luck.

 

Bill,

There is a 2bbl to 4bbl adaptor under the propane carb so the manifold is the original part. I'm going to have to look and see if the spacer plate is still there, as I have the truck stored someplace not at my residence. Thanks again.

Paul

 

Yes, CA changed the rules several years back, probably for the reasons you suggest but I always thought it was just another way to "tax us" and increase revenue.

My truck can only run propane, all gasoline equipment has been removed, and the smog requirements are a little different as you know. As I mentioned, the only smog equipment required are the PCV valve, the smog pump and the EGR valve, according to the info I have.

It looks like I may have to track down an EGR valve and spacer plate. Given that, what I really need help on will be how to mount it and hook it all up.

Thanks.

Paul