Removing smog devices

[MickeyMouseMG]

Would there be any ill effects if I removed most, if not all the smog systems on my '74 B? I'd just really like to get rid of that stuff, 1)it's old and I don't want to spen time/money to repair or replace it. 2)It would make the engine bay a bit more tidy and 3)the deletion of that air pump should release a little more power. I'd assume I would have to tune the carbs a little more to get it running right, but considering the car doesn't run (or has ran since I've had it) and that I'm going to rebuild the carbs anyway, I would see this as a big deal. Any comments?
Thanks

 

[Steve]

Well, consider the probability that the car would not pass emissions if the smog equipment was removed. Running or not, you would not be able to use it. I believe that California is so strict that you would be unlikely to pass without it, but maybe some of your fellow west-coasters would be able to give a better estimation of your chances.

 

[aerog]

To answer part of your question - you don't really need some of the emissions equipment on the car. Properly set up it will run very well without it.

Ill-effects though? Well California law might be one, based on this note that Sherlock posted awhile back I'd at least keep the smog equipment in California, looks like you might need it:


As some of you may know the State has already ordered 100 more mobile smog check stations. These will be used to patrol the 5 air quality areas looking for obviously bad post 1973 cars and checking 1966 to 1973 cars for compliance.
The Law we have now in NOT an exemption from
smog. It is an exemption from taking in your car every other year. Failure at one of the mobile test station of visual inspection is an Impound Offense. At this time any time an officer has a reason to look at your car he can have it impounded for visual failure of smog equipment they just don`t do it, yet. If the state gets what it wants only restored to OE spec cars will be allowed to use the roads if built after 1965. All they need do to make this work and make a lot of cash for the state is an inspection for safety and compliance that many other stated have in place now.

[ 04-26-2004: Message edited by: aerog ]</p>

 

[8NFord]

All this talk about California inspections is just another reason that I am glad I left. As bad as it is, just be happy you do not have to deal with the British "MOT." From what I have been told it makes the CA test seem like a "cake walk" in comparision.

 

[Steve]

Well, the MOT ensures that poorly maintained cars are kept off the streets. Although they now have emissions testing, they are by no means as stringent as those in California, for instance, and there are no rust buckets running around.

 

[MickeyMouseMG]

Hmmm haven't heard that law for CA yet, but it wouldn't surprise me. I was under the impression it was 1974 and below were exempt. I'll have to brush up on my emissions rights