Inspection Questions
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 96
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From: North Carolina
Inspection Questions
I have a 76 F-100 with a 390, headers, 4bbl. and basically stock. I have owned it for 4 years and have never had a problem getting it inspected.
Well today I went to get it inspected and the shop gave me a big run-around. The mechanic said I was supposed to have a catalytic converter and a fuel restricter on my truck. He showed me his manual and it was listed in the book, but beside each listing it said "if equipped". I told him this truck never had either one. So after a few rounds he finally checked it out and put the results on the computer and it passed.
I know the guy was just doing his job and with all the new government rules and regulations he is just covering his butt, so I totally understand.
My question is how can you tell what a 33 year old truck that has been passed around is supposed to have legally, especially when parts and tags and stickers have been removed, faded or just deteriorated over time?
Is there anything in the vin that can tell you if the truck is supposed to have any of these things?
Well today I went to get it inspected and the shop gave me a big run-around. The mechanic said I was supposed to have a catalytic converter and a fuel restricter on my truck. He showed me his manual and it was listed in the book, but beside each listing it said "if equipped". I told him this truck never had either one. So after a few rounds he finally checked it out and put the results on the computer and it passed.
I know the guy was just doing his job and with all the new government rules and regulations he is just covering his butt, so I totally understand.
My question is how can you tell what a 33 year old truck that has been passed around is supposed to have legally, especially when parts and tags and stickers have been removed, faded or just deteriorated over time?
Is there anything in the vin that can tell you if the truck is supposed to have any of these things?
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 96
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From: North Carolina
Yes he was talking about the fuel filler.
I am looking at my owners manual and it also says "The catalytic converter in your vehicle (IF EQUIPPED) changes.......). So most likely some came with it and some without.
I used to have a 76 with a 300 and it didn't have a fuel restricter, and I ain't sure about the converter.
I am looking at my owners manual and it also says "The catalytic converter in your vehicle (IF EQUIPPED) changes.......). So most likely some came with it and some without.
I used to have a 76 with a 300 and it didn't have a fuel restricter, and I ain't sure about the converter.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,956
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From: MD
ALL 1976 F100s had the emissions requirements as it was only rated between 4700-5700 GVW. To be exempt from the emission package (nozzle restrictor, catalytic converter, vacuum operated PVS(s) to run certain equipment at certain engine temperature), a vehicle had to weigh more than 6000 GVW (up till 1979 when the EPA raised it to 8500 GVW) in order to be able to run regular leaded gas. If the gas guage on your instrumental cluster (if you're sure it's original) says "UNLEADED FUEL ONLY", you have the emissions system. Note, all this only applies to the Federal (49 state) vehicles. California vehicles were stringer; CA had emissions equipment on most configurations of the '73-79 era.
I'm guessing someone removed the emissions equipment sometime in its lifetime on your truck. Oftentimes, people rip out the cats and punch out the nozzle restrictor so they can run regular because it was widely available and cheaper than unleaded back in the day. Plus there was the mentality of the first-generation smog equipment choking performance. My 1979 F250 had the emissions system, but someone removed the catalytic converter and punched out the nozzle restrictor. Guess it's because the rural areas didn't bother getting unleaded...
I'm guessing someone removed the emissions equipment sometime in its lifetime on your truck. Oftentimes, people rip out the cats and punch out the nozzle restrictor so they can run regular because it was widely available and cheaper than unleaded back in the day. Plus there was the mentality of the first-generation smog equipment choking performance. My 1979 F250 had the emissions system, but someone removed the catalytic converter and punched out the nozzle restrictor. Guess it's because the rural areas didn't bother getting unleaded...
Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,751
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From: Sin City
As Chad said all US F100's had the cats. Ford came up with the new model F150 to get by the GVW restriction for emissions. F150 and bigger were exempt for a few years. After 33+ years, these trucks may have gone through many different permutations. Your owner's manual covers F100, 250, 350 etc. so that is why it says "if equipped".
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 741
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From: Western N.C.
If you can make mods that last for three more years, you won't have to get it inspected in this state anymore...period. That's one of the things I love about my '73!
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Junior User
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From: North Carolina
Why is that? I live in NC and have not heard about anything about that. Is there a new law coming into effect I haven't heard about? That would be nice.
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 741
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From: Western N.C.
In NC, you do not have to get it inspected after 35 years. Last year was the last year that Eddie had to go through it. NO INSPECTION...EVER AGAIN!
It was actually kind of gratifying when I went to the DMV in Lenior to transfer the title and register...over and over again, I heard "Is your inspection current?" or "Your next inspection will be due on...," or "You let your inspection run out, so you have to pay the $250 fine before we will renew your registration..."
I walked up, gave the lady my paperwork, paid $98 for HUT, title fee, late fee (my fault), and tags...and I asked with a grin on my face "And when is my next inspection due?" She rolled her eyes and said "Never," to which many people in the line behind me groaned.
It was actually kind of gratifying when I went to the DMV in Lenior to transfer the title and register...over and over again, I heard "Is your inspection current?" or "Your next inspection will be due on...," or "You let your inspection run out, so you have to pay the $250 fine before we will renew your registration..."
I walked up, gave the lady my paperwork, paid $98 for HUT, title fee, late fee (my fault), and tags...and I asked with a grin on my face "And when is my next inspection due?" She rolled her eyes and said "Never," to which many people in the line behind me groaned.
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: North Carolina
I just came back from a local junk yard looking for a fuel filler tube with the flap. Not a single 70's model truck had one. I found an 88 and an 89 that had it, but that is about it. I also looked on-line at a few parts stores (LMC and Carpenter among others) and I can find filler tubes, but not with the restricter. I have 2 questions: Does anyone know where I can purchase this part new? Will a later model 80's Ford Truck work with a little modifications?
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: MD
You're going to have a tough time finding one. It is placed on the side of the truck bed, not the tube. Before 1979, only the F100s required the ECP. In 1979, only the F350 series didn't require the ECP. Just look for a F100 or a '79. Assuming someone didn't remove it already, to boot. I cannot recall how the filler tube is assembled. Can't the inspector just let that one go seeing as it's nearly impossible (not worth it) to reinstate the nozzle restrictor? It's all unleaded today, anyway...
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Junior User
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From: North Carolina
I have thought about just leaving it and see what happens. I also thought about the unleaded gas issue, since there is no place I know of that sells leaded. If I can find the part I would like to go ahead a fix it, if not then I'll see what happens.
My cousin told me the exact same thing Bowtie Scmhowtie said. He also has a 73 and he doesn't have to have his inspected either, and I found the same info on the NC DMV website. Just 2 more years...............
My cousin told me the exact same thing Bowtie Scmhowtie said. He also has a 73 and he doesn't have to have his inspected either, and I found the same info on the NC DMV website. Just 2 more years...............
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,052
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From: Alvarado, TX
Yeah, as crazy as the rules can be here in CA at least we don't have to deal with safety inspections. We have smog checks every two years for vehicles over 5 years old. Vehicles over 30 years old were exempted until a few years ago when the cut it off at 1975. I just made it with my Highboy. Everything else is older or diesel so I don't have to deal with it at all 
. Recent tree huggin' laws have tried to back up the rules again but they haven't been sucessful, knock on wood.
. Recent tree huggin' laws have tried to back up the rules again but they haven't been sucessful, knock on wood.
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