I was hoping you guys could give me some info. I've recently been looking into possibly moving from South Dakota to Colorado and am wondering about emissions testing/inspections.

I have a '73 F100 2wd that came with a 360 2v 4spd with points ign but I'm unsure of the factory emissions equipment that would have come on it. Now it has Edelbrock 4v, headers, dual exhaust, duraspark ign and custom cold air intake. Most of these things, plus new paint, were done in the past year and I would like to keep it as is. Will I run into trouble with emissions testing or inspections? I'd assume it's old enough to be exempt, but want to check with you guys.

Marty

 

Hi Marty, come on down!

Emissions for your 73 should ne be a problem. There are two test run out here, the cuttoff is 82-older and 83-newer. The older version is the good old fashion wand up the pipe test. These are even performed by some individual places as well as the state run facilities. If your motor runs nice and strong and clean, nothing to fear. I have become accustomed to my older vehicles not passing the fisrt try, but then you are given a free re-test after you do a little teaking. Hope I answered your question ...

--Mike

 

Thanks for the reply. So my non-stock Edelbrock carb and headers w/dual exhaust won't be a concern? So it's just a exhaust gas test? No visual inspection?

Marty

 

The only items I've seen scrutinized for visual inspection on an older vehicle are OEM (or equivalent) emissions equipment, i.e., EGR, catalytic converter, and Thermactor AIR pump/bypass valve. Since your '73 truck did not have any of those installed by the factory, you should be good to go, as long as you pass the sniffer.

Here's the poop straight from Air Care Colorado:

http://www.aircarecolorado.com/lighttr.htm

BTW: Since your truck is more than 25 years old, it qualifies for "Collector Series" plates, which exempt it from any subsequent e-testing after the initial registration, as long as you own it.

 

According to my factory repair manuals, my F100 2wd 360 had a 2 barrel carb and EGR plate under it - no CATs or air pump. Will I probably need to swap on a 2v carb and EGR? Will the site of the headers and dual exhaust cause some trouble? Or if I get the 'collector series' plates when I register, will I not need to change anything?

Thanks for the help. I like to know what I'm getting into, before I get in too deep...

Marty

 

A little bit of the issues may be resolved depending on where you get the test performed. I have a guy that I take my older vehicles to that is pretty good. My 68 Cougar has the 4-barrel/manifold/etc stuff loaded on and there is not a question asked. Let us know where you plan on moving to and maybe a few suggestions for test sites can be made. You will need to have the test to get the plates, so once you have it tested you can select "collector" or regular plates. I would try the test before making any changes to your truck.

--Mike

 

I agree with Mike. Before you make any changes, try the e-test with your truck as-is. With a pre-'82 vehicle, you can get it tested at an independent shop, instead of the state-subsidized monopoly.

I've seen quite a few older trucks with 351M/400 engines (that never had a factory 4V carb option) pass the e-test with 4V carbs, headers, etc., even at the nit-pickiest monopoly facilities.

Worst case, you might have to "fake" an EGR valve. All you need is a junkyard EGR valve "bolted" onto the back of a plain aluminum carb spacer, a few feet of vacuum hose, and some junkyard vacuum gizmos. If you still have the original underhood emissions label, you can hook up the hoses to the valve and gizmos to simulate the schematic on the label. If you don't have the original vacuum schematic, just be creative.

 

Thanks a lot, that's just what I wanted to know. I'd hate to have to undo all the good things I've done to the pickup - and selling it isn't an option for me...

Marty

 

73 Custom and Guys,

My 66 F250 with no EGR or Cats or air pump from the factory passed the pre 81 emissions fine and it wasn't tuned very well at all! The truck (lucky for me, decided to have a "No Smoking Moment" at the test shop. There was a barely visible hint of smoke from one side. It passed sniffer and visual for smoke (opacity) and factory equipment.

Quick question, the emissions inspections we are talking about are for the 7 or so counties in the Denver Metro area, right? So if 73 is moving to somewhere else in Colorado, he's good to go?

Spudco