Rules for swapping out engines
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Seattle
Rules for swapping out engines
What's the legality of swapping out an engine?
Talking to a friend who did it for his F-250 Camper Special he made it sound like it's all but illegal to do so now a days due to emissions testing and EPA regulations.
So if I wanted to rip the Vulcan out of my Ranger and put in his 351 Cleveland, would I be blocked from doing that due to emission laws? Would I have to retitle the vehicle - since the VINs wouldn't match?
Talking to a friend who did it for his F-250 Camper Special he made it sound like it's all but illegal to do so now a days due to emissions testing and EPA regulations.
So if I wanted to rip the Vulcan out of my Ranger and put in his 351 Cleveland, would I be blocked from doing that due to emission laws? Would I have to retitle the vehicle - since the VINs wouldn't match?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,228
Likes: 5
From: Running Springs CA
Check with your state's DMV. Each one may have different rules. CA used to go by the engine year a long time ago, which allowed me to put a 1964 engine with only a closed PCV system (1955-on CA requirement) into a 1971 emission controlled vehicle. Today its completely different.
Jim
Jim
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Seattle
I sent an e-mail off to the local DOL, let's see if the drones there can figure out what I'm talking about.
I was kind of expecting to find this online rather easily - especially considering the popularity of street racing lately.
I was kind of expecting to find this online rather easily - especially considering the popularity of street racing lately.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 694
Likes: 8
From: Vashon, WA
You're in Seattle so it might be different. In rural King County you don't need any emissions testing. I believe in Seattle where you're tested every 2yrs you must meet to emission requirements of the engine, you would need to meet the requirements for whatever yr/model vehicle that engine came out of. if you used an engine old enough you might not even need testing because vehicles after(I want to say 30ys) are exempt.
I'm just glad theres no tests where I am so I can run whatever motor I want an no one bugs me.
Again not 100% sure on that, I'd be interested in what the DMV says.
I'm just glad theres no tests where I am so I can run whatever motor I want an no one bugs me.
Again not 100% sure on that, I'd be interested in what the DMV says.
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Seattle
Well.. technically I live in unincorporated King County so I guess the rules you outline would apply to me - makes it nice to be able to drop in a pre-emissions engine. Still I'd love to see what the DMV says about it - probably not much but you never know.
They're pretty good about collecting fines, fees, taxes, and whatnot from me - but ask them for something and suddenly they can't be found anywhere.
They're pretty good about collecting fines, fees, taxes, and whatnot from me - but ask them for something and suddenly they can't be found anywhere.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,868
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From: Rhode Island
*Legally* in every state, you can only swap newer engines, or evens of the same emissions year.
Unless of course you have a pre-emissions car.
Unless of course you have a pre-emissions car.
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 694
Likes: 8
From: Vashon, WA
Well.. technically I live in unincorporated King County so I guess the rules you outline would apply to me - makes it nice to be able to drop in a pre-emissions engine. Still I'd love to see what the DMV says about it - probably not much but you never know.
They're pretty good about collecting fines, fees, taxes, and whatnot from me - but ask them for something and suddenly they can't be found anywhere.
They're pretty good about collecting fines, fees, taxes, and whatnot from me - but ask them for something and suddenly they can't be found anywhere.
I know I'm in rural KC and never had any of my vehicles inspected I just buy new tabs every year.
My dad lives over in Seattle and they have to have an emissions inspection ever 2yrs.
You should be able to swap any engine you want in there and never have to explain anything to anyone.
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Seattle
I do live in unincorporated but I also have to get emissions every 2 years.
King County must differentiate between rural and unincorporated. I know I'm unincorporated because I just voted to keep Renton off my back.
King County must differentiate between rural and unincorporated. I know I'm unincorporated because I just voted to keep Renton off my back.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
I thought Vashon/Ruston were part of Pierce county?
The general law is that you can only swap in an engine of the same year or newer that was available in that vehicle.
CA used to emissions groups, IE you could swap in an engine that was older if it had the proper emissions equipment, but now they won't let you do anything.
Another option for you is to register in Kitsap or Mason counties, neither has emissions.
The general law is that you can only swap in an engine of the same year or newer that was available in that vehicle.
CA used to emissions groups, IE you could swap in an engine that was older if it had the proper emissions equipment, but now they won't let you do anything.
Another option for you is to register in Kitsap or Mason counties, neither has emissions.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Vashon, WA
Vashon is the southernmost tip of King Country. If you take the ferry south to Tacoma(Ruston) then your in Pierce, if you take the Ferry west to Bremerton/Pt Orchard you're in in Kitsap and if you take the Ferry north to Fauntleroy(Seattle) then you get up into the rest of King County.
Has the DMV replied yet? I've looked into several engine swaps in different vehicles and never even gave a though to the laws. I've got a couple buddies who have done swaps and not notified anyone or had any inspections. Here all you have to do is pay tabs each year and they could care less what the vehicles looks like or what it's running.
Has the DMV replied yet? I've looked into several engine swaps in different vehicles and never even gave a though to the laws. I've got a couple buddies who have done swaps and not notified anyone or had any inspections. Here all you have to do is pay tabs each year and they could care less what the vehicles looks like or what it's running.
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Seattle
Vashon is the southernmost tip of King Country. If you take the ferry south to Tacoma(Ruston) then your in Pierce, if you take the Ferry west to Bremerton/Pt Orchard you're in in Kitsap and if you take the Ferry north to Fauntleroy(Seattle) then you get up into the rest of King County.
Has the DMV replied yet? I've looked into several engine swaps in different vehicles and never even gave a though to the laws. I've got a couple buddies who have done swaps and not notified anyone or had any inspections. Here all you have to do is pay tabs each year and they could care less what the vehicles looks like or what it's running.
Has the DMV replied yet? I've looked into several engine swaps in different vehicles and never even gave a though to the laws. I've got a couple buddies who have done swaps and not notified anyone or had any inspections. Here all you have to do is pay tabs each year and they could care less what the vehicles looks like or what it's running.
I haven't heard from them yet.
Like I said, they fall all over themselves when you owe them money. But ask a question and suddenly they vanish.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
Vashon is the southernmost tip of King Country. If you take the ferry south to Tacoma(Ruston) then your in Pierce, if you take the Ferry west to Bremerton/Pt Orchard you're in in Kitsap and if you take the Ferry north to Fauntleroy(Seattle) then you get up into the rest of King County.
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