CA engine swap on a non-op (1 Viewer)

[a77fj40]

Ok so I'm in The Peoples Republic of Kalifornia and I've got a '65 that is on a non-op title so it will need to be inspected to get it back on the road. The problem is that i am planning on putting a newer 5.3l vortec in it. now i always assumed that since it was smog exempt, this wouldn't be an issue. but I've heard 4 stories now of people doing this and being required to put the stock smog components on the engine because the engine isn't smog exempt even though the vehicle is smog exempt.

Has anyone ever done this in CA and if so how did you get the truck inspected without having to deal with smog crap.

thanks,

db

 

[lc69hunter]

Don't know about CA, but in AZ, the requirement follows the title not the engine, as I faced the same issue here and checked with ADEQ.

 

[a77fj40]

That's what I always thought here too but now I'm hearing conflicting reports.

 

[SW20]

Ok so I'm in The Peoples Republic of Kalifornia and I've got a '65 that is on a non-op title so it will need to be inspected to get it back on the road. The problem is that i am planning on putting a newer 5.3l vortec in it. now i always assumed that since it was smog exempt, this wouldn't be an issue. but I've heard 4 stories now of people doing this and being required to put the stock smog components on the engine because the engine isn't smog exempt even though the vehicle is smog exempt.

Has anyone ever done this in CA and if so how did you get the truck inspected without having to deal with smog crap.

thanks,

db

Very easy to do. Do not take the vehicle to the Sheriff for inspection. They require it running. Just look up on Yelp for a Vin Verfiyer service and they will come out and verify your vin and give you a paper with their verification and their license number to take to the DMV or AAA office. I bought a 1982 that was not running, so I could not take it to the local AAA office by my work to get the title transferred in my name. They recommend that I get a professional Vin Verifyer to come out and do it for me. It was $40 and I did it about 3 months ago.

 

[Living in the Past]

Can you get the current stock engine running get it registered then do your engine swap. Here in AZ with a title you can get a pre 67 registered without any inspection. Don't believe we even have a non-op option. We also have most the state with no emissions. Can't really compare AZ to CA as far as registrations.

 

[Dodgrr]

I recently registered a 73 in cali, honestly was expecting a more thorough check.. My headlights, turn signals, emergency flashers, horn were all non operational. The lady gave me 2 thumbs up, complimented the beast, sent me on my way.. They definitely weren't checking for smog stuff.

 

[Living in the Past]

I recently registered a 73 in cali, honestly was expecting a more thorough check.. My headlights, turn signals, emergency flashers, horn were all non operational. The lady gave me 2 thumbs up, complimented the beast, sent me on my way.. They definitely weren't checking for smog stuff.

Think it depends who does the inspection. I bought a WWII 1/4 trailer from a 85 year old man. The title had a lean on it from 1963 when he borrowed money from his dad. I had no lean release. Woman behind the counter justed laughed when she seen and transfer the title to without a lean. If someone else said they needed to have the lean release it would have been a nightmare
I'm sure the guy's father had past away long time before I bought. I would be afraid someone notices the engine swap a red flag would put on the title. From that point on it would require emissions.

 

[surfpig]

I don't know of any inspection requirement for vehicles in Cali. For non-op you just change the registration to "op". Being pre-1975, you can do whatever the hell you want with the engine.

Unless you're talking about a VIN verification, but that's just for when you're trying to get a title for the vehicle.

You can always contact the Bureau of Automotive Repair (the smog Nazis) and ask them. they have actually been pretty helpful with issues I have had in the past.

 

[Downey]

Since retiring I have not kept up on the current Cali smog laws, but back in the day (with vehicle already registered for operation on the highway) Cali would have never known you did an engine swap because you would never have had to do a smog cert.. With that said, I'd certainly recommend you try to take off of non-op/get re-registered before you do the swap. If you do the swap first, then find that Cali wants a smog check, you'd also have to use the 5.3 air cleaner, exhaust, cats., etc.- - -probably a bunch of junk you don't want to do.

 

[whitey45]

If it's non op, just pay the Regis and you can run any drivetrain you want. Cali is smog exempt 1975 and under. You shouldn't need an inspection on non op and most dmv employees are clueless anyway!

 

[ducktapeguy]

Technically, I believe pre-1975 are not smog exempt, they're just don't require the bi annual test. But legally I think they're still supposed have all the original smog equipment. How they would verify that is anyone's guess which is why no one bothers following the rules

Where was the vehicle last registered? I think the easiest thing would be to get a AAA membership and register it through them, it's well worth the membership fee to avoid the DMV. They'll just do a VIN check and you fill out some paperwork. Then once it's registered do the engine swap.

 

[a77fj40]

Technically, I believe pre-1975 are not smog exempt, they're just don't require the bi annual test. But legally I think they're still supposed have all the original smog equipment. How they would verify that is anyone's guess which is why no one bothers following the rules

Where was the vehicle last registered? I think the easiest thing would be to get a AAA membership and register it through them, it's well worth the membership fee to avoid the DMV. They'll just do a VIN check and you fill out some paperwork. Then once it's registered do the engine swap.

you're right and thats where the problem is. The AAA thing was a good suggestion. i called them and they wont do the title transfer because all i have is a bill of sale but they will handle the registration from non-op to operational with just paperwork and no inspection. So....

I will take the truck to DMV for a vin check as is with the original non running engine. get a non-op title. do the swap and have AAA do the registration once its done.

thanks guys. ill let you know how it goes.

 

[ducktapeguy]

Hmmm...I'm pretty sure AAA did a title transfer with just a bill of sale for me before. This was with an out of state smog required vehicle too. It's been a few years so my memory is a little cloudy on the exact details, but I don't think I ever went to the DMV for anything. AAA even had the licences plates at the office so I was able to get them at the same time. Where are you in Socal? Might be worth calling another AAA just to make sure.

 

[a77fj40]

im in hemet, Ill call the temecula office and see if theyll do it. but then i have to drag the thing down there....Hmmmm

nothing is ever easy...

 

[a77fj40]

I called and they said its because the vehicle is out of the system. it hasn't been registered in 20 years. The DMV has to do the VIN inspection.

 

[SW20]

I called and they said its because the vehicle is out of the system. it hasn't been registered in 20 years. The DMV has to do the VIN inspection.

Yes, that was my issue for the 82. It was out of the system and from New Mexico (Federal car). It was cheaper for me to get someone to come out and verify the vin, then to get it towed to be verified. Either way, it was not a big issue, the guy looked up the frame number and the Vin plate on the door, took him about 5 minutes total with paperwork.

 

[a77fj40]

How did you get someone to come out and do it? is that a service through DMV or a private contractor?

 

[SW20]

I just looked up Vin Verifying services or something like that on Yelp. I picked the closest one to my area. Basically the person came out and checked the title, they have a DMV form and clipboard and they verified that the title and Vin number matched. I believed I paid $40 for the fee. I took the DMV form he gave me, along with the signed title to my AAA local office and registered the FJ40 in my name. I got the title 2 weeks later in the mail from the DMV. I completely forgot his info, but he did tell me that he does it for all vehicles, including semi trucks, car and truck chassis, etc... He is a licensed 3rd party Vin number verifier. The DMV form he gave me had his license number on it, and I just turned it in with the title. I didn't need a bill of sale, but the AAA office did ask me what the purchased price was for which I said I paid $500 for it.

 

[65swb45]

So you don't actually have a pink slip?

Then what you should be aiming for is a straight application for duplicate title and transfer. Take non-op out of your vocabulary. There is a chance THAT form will fly without a VIN verification.

I assume you can still make contact with the seller.

 

[65swb45]

IIRC, a local MUD member and personal friend of Marv Specter's, @owensexport is a VIN verifier too.