[DeTomaso] DMV registration question for fellow Kalifornians.
SOBill at aol.com
SOBill at aol.com
Thu Apr 28 02:39:29 EDT 2011
Peter,
My understanding is that, in California, you can never legally remove or
alter the smog equipment that originally came on the car.
Most cars built after 1965 had some type of smog equipment from the
factory.
Sometime in the mid '70s, California required that all cars have a PCV
system installed even though it was not a factory item. The PCV valve was
installed in Chevy by drilling a hole in the cast iron intake manifold and
pounding the PCV valve into place. This process didn't seem to bother the engine
as the cast iron dust could cycle thru the engine OK.
In the late '70s, California also required modification of the ignition
system by the addition of a "smog module" which altered the spark advance
such that my camper van could no longer get up the hill to by house. The
vehicle registration renewal required a certification that an ignition smog
module had been installed. The auto shop at the bottom of the hill was just as
happy to disconnect the module as they were to install it and I was happy
to mail the Certificate of Installation to the DMV. Ah, those were the days.
So the fact that, at present my 1974 Pantera is exempt from regular smog
testing, does not exempt the car from having all the original factory smog
equipment installed and in working order. If I am stopped for any reason,
and the officer has reason to believe my car does not comply with original
factory equipment, I can be required to have the car smog tested.
I believe there are some exceptions. The installation of aftermarket parts
is legal if that part has received a California Air Resources Board
Executive Order Exemption. Vendor catalogs indicate if their part is CARB exempt.
These exemptions are given to parts which are as good or better, smog
wise, as the OEM parts they replace. Also, if the manufacturer of the car no
longer sells the required smog part, that part need not be installed and
working.
In the mid '60s in lived for time in Anaheim. The smog was so bad I could
not see two city blocks as everything just disappeared into a haze. I was
in Anaheim two weeks ago, and the air was very clear. It is 50 years later
and there are many, many more cars in circulation yet the air is definitely
cleaner. Got to think about that.
That's what I think I know.
Have fun today,
sobill at aol.com
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