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Removal of the Smog Equipment

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Americanshine

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Well it is a Sunday and since I have the time, I am going to remove the smog equipment from underneath the bonnet of my B. Now that my car no longer requires a smog cert here in the great state of California, I see no need for it. I think that I will accomplish 2 things by doing this. 1- a cleaner engine compartment, and 2 a better running motor without the pump being needlessly run. Has anyone out there increased their performance when doing this? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/patriot.gif
 
I don't want to rain on your idea, but didn't California just change the law on what years are subject to smog testing?
 
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I don't want to rain on your idea, but didn't California just change the law on what years are subject to smog testing?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes they did and boy did that make me mad! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif But as long as your car is older than 1974 you should be ok.

But remember that just because you aren't required to be tested - California law still requires that original smog equipment stay on the vehicle. But then there isnā€™t any established way to really regulate or enforce that mandate. So I think you'll be safe unless you ā˜¼ā˜¼ā˜¼ā˜¼ off a police officer and he decides to pull a road side inspection on you. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

So as long as your vehicle is older than 74 you should be ok removing the smog equipment but Iā€™d keep it in a safe place just in case. Now for those of you in the same boat as me ā€“ who live in Kalifornia & own a 74 model year vehicle or newer, we will have emissions testing every other year for as long as it remains on the road in our state.

Options other than living with the smog test:
1) Move to another state. (Check local laws).
2) Sell the vehicle.
3) Donā€™t drive your classic anymore.
4) Or install a different more modern engine.

Cheers,
Bret
 
I was under the impression that the last year for the smog exempt was the 1975 model year. When I renewed mine after being removed from service the previous 7 years I did not require a smog check (thank god at the time it never would of passed). Even with the new stricter law the 75 model year is still exempt I believe. Though I would not be surprised at all if that is changed in the up coming years.

If you do remove the equipment put it away in a safe place because you may need it in the future.
 
Governor Arnie (we're gona PUMP YOu UP!) Signed into law that any existing vehicle from 1976 on up will have to be smogged for the life of the automobile. So wouldn't you know it Since I have 4 "B"'s 2 of them would likely be manufactured in 1976, the one in question that I removed the smog equip from is a 74. And then there is the 73 that I have. It will likely see a small block chevy with a turbo 350 behind it just for kicks and giggles. being a member of SEMA, I receive all of the updates on all of the bills that are introduced into congress and the senate here in this great state of California. As for the 74, I did not notiice any increase in power after removing the smog equip. BUT IT IS a clearner engine compartment now!
 
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I was under the impression that the last year for the smog exempt was the 1975 model year. When I renewed mine after being removed from service the previous 7 years I did not require a smog check (thank god at the time it never would of passed). Even with the new stricter law the 75 model year is still exempt I believe. Though I would not be surprised at all if that is changed in the up coming years.


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Hmmm? From what I understand this NEW law takes affect on Jan 1, 2005. So I wouldnā€™t be surprised if you get a smog notice requirement with your next vehicle registration. Anyway, I could be wrong about the model year for the start of this new program. As when this was originally proposed under different legislation a few years back by those militant tree huggers ā€“ they actually wanted said 1974 model year vehicles.

Adding to my confusion could be that previous to this new law - cars where exempt at 30 years ā€“ thus 1974 should have been the cut off this year had it not been for the recent legislation.

Anyway to be sure - I will look over the information I have and get back on this.

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If you do remove the equipment put it away in a safe place because you may need it in the future.

[/ QUOTE ]

Always a good idea. As you never know what the political winds will bring that might affect our classics.

Cheers,
Bret
 
Found it.

Here is the information I have on Kalifornia's harsh emissions testing.

The old Bill SB 708 that was shot down in 2003 ā€“ proposed continued emissions testing for 1974 and newer cars.

Where as the new bill AB 2683 that the Governator signed into law, mandates mandatory emissions tests for 1976 and newer vehicles.

Yup - it still sucks! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif
 
ok - new to the forum,

1. So if I own a 70 - I'm still "safe" to remove the equipment - right?

2. on my 70 Midget - in removing the large amount of smog stuff - is there anwhere listed what to plug all the holes with? Like the 4 vents coming from the block, yadda yadda.

Drew
 
Hey Drew,

First of all welcome to the forum. Lots of great helpful people here.

As for you're 70 Midget? Yes - you should be safe. But beings how this is the Republic of Kalifornia all bets are off that you might not need them down the road. So to be safe ā€“ if I was you I'd tuck those emissions components away some place safe, rather than tossing them out.

As for the air rail plugs. Canā€™t recall for sure but I believe the size is 7/16-20. You should be able to find them at your local NAPA store.

BTW have you joined the San Diego MG Club? If not ā€“ you should consider joining lots of nice folks and great sources of information and where to find stuff locally.

Here is the SDMGC web page: https://www.sandiegomgclub.org/

Kind'a dated but it has all the stuff you need to know about the club.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
Good luck!
Bret
 
Am I wrong in thinking that the smog equipment must be in place when the car is registered? I am restoring two '69s that are not yet in my name.

Lonnie
 
No Lonnie, the 69 year car is exempt from smog requirements so registering and licensing does not require a smog certification. In some cases out of state unregistered cars will require a DMV inspection to certify their vin numbers. However, for this later case I would probably leave all parts in tact-FWIW--Keoke
 
No Steve, that is not a requirement here.However, there is I believe a downside to this smog exemption thing.If you own a smog exempt vehicle registered here in California and you decide to sell it in the state you are required to supply the buyer with a smog certification,and of course this will require all smog equipment to be intact and functional. DMV may not be able to control the smog equipment content on the cars so they utilize the the smog techs to do it-FWIW---Keoke
 
NO Bret, Your 1974 car is exempt except as you noted-Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]

NO Bret, Your 1974 car is exempt except as you noted-Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

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Not sure what your point is because in my third post (12/06/04) Iā€™d already receded my earlier comment. In that post I gave the description of the first bill (AB 708) that was proposed and shot down back in 2003. That if passed would have required 74 model year vehicle emissions testing. The new bill (SB 2683) that actually passed by the legislators and signed by the Governor - requires emission testing for 76 and newer vehicles.

FYI I own a 78 B that will have to be tested forever now. Thus another good reason to either swap the engine out with something more modern or go with the new Moss EFI kit when it is released later this year.

What ruffles my chaps it that I just got my registration renewal notice and it looks like I have to take it back to a ā€œSmog Check Only Stationā€ again. For those of you not in the know these are state regulated shops that only test vehicles and donā€™t make any repairs or make any recommendations to pass the emissions testing. So if youā€™re vehicle fails it will need to be fixed at another location. Of course they charge you for each test.

Anyway it was my understanding that the DMV ā€œrandomlyā€ selects from lists of vehicles that have a higher rate of failure than others. Iā€™ve been required to take my 78B to the Smog Check Only Station the last 3 times. OK but what I donā€™t understand is why my vehicle is more random than others?

One note regarding Smog Check Only Stations. The technicians that work there aren't all that sharp. The first time I was almost failed because the moron doing the testing couldnā€™t locate the catalytic converter. The second failure was because the oil filler cap wouldnā€™t fit tight. The third time I took my B in was the best of them all ā€“ it actually failed because the tech thought that the timing was set wrong 5 digs BTC and not the required 10 Digs BTC. Problem is the idiot didnā€™t read that the timing on a B engine is set while the engine is @1500 RPMs not at idle. I must have argued that with the tech for about 15 minutes before the manager came in and sat down with us to read over their shop manuals to confirm my claim. Making matters worst is that in each case they told me my vehicleā€™s numbers where great and well with in the required emissions limits.
 
[ QUOTE ]
No Steve, that is not a requirement here.However, there is I believe a downside to this smog exemption thing.If you own a smog exempt vehicle registered here in California and you decide to sell it in the state you are required to supply the buyer with a smog certification,and of course this will require all smog equipment to be intact and functional. DMV may not be able to control the smog equipment content on the cars so they utilize the the smog techs to do it-FWIW---Keoke

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I know the seller is required by law in California to get an emissions test for title transfer. But I donā€™t think it is required for all vehicles. Case in point ā€“ some vehicles actually predate emissions testing ā€“ you canā€™t test something that never had an emissions standard to be tested. I will do some checking ā€“ but I believe if your vehicle is exempt from emissions testing you donā€™t have to have a test performed for a title transfer.

That said according to my neighbor who is a CHiP Motor Patrol Officer ā€“ the law says that you must retain all emissions equipment that came stock with your vehicle. And that any modifications must be CARB certified. He doesnā€™t have one for MGBs, but he actually has a check list handout (cheat sheet) vehicle inspection sheet, for whenever they have street racer roundups. Primary focus of course is the more common Tuner Rice Rocket rides used by those illegal Ricky Racer types. That way they can sight the driver for illegal street racing and more easily impound the punk kids car.

In other words ā€“ according to my neighbor ā€“ so long as you donā€™t illegally race your vehicle on the street or ā˜¼ā˜¼ā˜¼ā˜¼-off the cop ticketing you whatever violation he pulled you over for. Heā€™ll probably leave you alone even if youā€™re ride has been modified or had the emissions equipment removed.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
Thanks Bret, I tried to email you but it was kicked back for some reason. I'm in RB. Thanks for the info - have gotten several things concerning the holes in the block - do you know if I have to have BSPP plugs - thats British Standard Pipe Parallel - or can I use the ones you suggested?

Lonnie - I don't think you'd have to have the smog equipment on unless they're going to do a visual inspection - but I have not had a visual done, I usually go to AAA to do my registration.

Drew
 
Bret, I think some of the old cars are just being picked on depending on your location in the state. Yes I have had some similar experiences with the Smog techs under the original system. They could not tune the car and charged me $90.00 to do it for them /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif--FWIW---Keoke
 
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