CA engine swap on a non-op (2 Viewers)

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Duck, No Smog required in California pre 75!!!!!, dont shoot off info you have no clue about?
 
whitey, maybe read more carefully next time? No smog TESTING required. Technically, this doesn't exempt you from having to be smog legal, all it says is the state isn't checking. There's a small grey area that could be important if the laws change.

I remember AAA telling me that the CHP will also do VIN verification for free if you happen to find one on the street.
 
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I can verify the, "no smog testing required", statement. Having spoken to several state ARB people. The story goes that after the 1975 date, all vehicles had some kind of smog system on the engine, (air pump, PCV valve, or EGR for example) so that date was chosen as a cutoff date.
I suspect there was not enough money in it for the state to go after all engines before that time. However, all vehicles on the road are supposed to have whatever smog equipment originally came with the vehicle. There has been talk that all vehicles will need to be "tailpiped" at some point, if legislation is passed, we shall see. Once again it is probably a money thing.
I have never heard of anyone being dinged on a 75 and older vehicle. The bureaucrats seem to interpret the law as, no smog required on 75 and older vehicles.
 
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I can verify the, "no smog testing required", statement. Having spoken to several state ARB people. The story goes that after that date, 1975 all vehicles had some kind of smog system on the engine, (air pump, PCV valve, or EGR for example) so that date was chosen as a cutoff date.
I suspect there was not enough money in it for the state to go after all engines before that time. However, all vehicles on the road are supposed to have whatever smog equipment originally came with the vehicle. There has been talk that all vehicles will need to be "tailpiped" at some point, if legislation is passed, we shall see. Once again it is probably a money thing.
I have never heard of anyone being dinged on a pre 75 vehicle. The bureaucrats seem to interpret the law as, no smog required on pre 75 vehicles.

Thought it was 76 in CA. In AZ it's 67. At one time AZ had a rolling twenty year emissions. Once a vehicle was twenty years old it was exempt. Late eighties early nineties it was moved back to 67 and fixed. In emissions areas it's every year and includes a run test.
 
California used to have a 30 year rolling exemption which ended in 2004/2005. So 1975 and before are exempt from testing, 1976 and newer need to be tested in order to register the vehicle. I think there are a few areas of California where the rules might be slightly different. Unfortunately, I know of more than a few people with late 70's-early 80's cars who were counting on that rolling exemption, and now have very expensive car shaped anchors decorating their garage.

I think the risk is pretty low in modifying a pre 75 vehicle, which is why so many people ignore it. However, the police have in the past setup smog checkpoints along public roads, similar to sobriety checkpoints. They come prepared with a mobile dyno and emissions tester and randomly pull over cars for testing. It's unclear how they would handle older vehicles who are supposedly smog exempt.
 
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I would love to get pulled over in my 31 a! Hey it does have an airpump!
 
I see the air pump ;) not so sure about brakes.
"Built to go... not stop" :D
 
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
 
So this is how it works. If a vehicle has fallen off the DMV system meaning it has not been registered for several years they will send you to the CHP office for vehicle inspection you would not be able to go to a paid Vin Verifier. There is letter of the law and spirit of the law, they can actually send you to the BAR due to the mofifications. Since it's non-op DMVshould be able to do it.

My local CHP office Officer is spirit of the law. They dont care if the lights are working or engine is runnning as long it has an engine and trans, they just do a vin check and make sure Vin returns clear.

Not sure if this helps.
 
I edited my post. (1975 and older), (1976 and newer) in Calif. I hope that is clear as mud.
 
SUCCESS!!! I had a VIN verifier come out and fill out the REG31 VIN verification form. Took it to DMV with just the bill of sale and $162 later ive got plates, tags and current registration. no inspections, no smog s***, no CHP. Its funny because the thing is missing most of its engine, the whole front clip, all of the doors and the interior....but its got shiny new plates and current registration. Gotta love Kalifornia.

thanks for all the help guys! Mud is the best!
 
Makes me understand why I left Thousand Oaks for Colorado in 1969....
 
SUCCESS!!! I had a VIN verifier come out and fill out the REG31 VIN verification form. Took it to DMV with just the bill of sale and $162 later ive got plates, tags and current registration. no inspections, no smog s***, no CHP. Its funny because the thing is missing most of its engine, the whole front clip, all of the doors and the interior....but its got shiny new plates and current registration. Gotta love Kalifornia.

thanks for all the help guys! Mud is the best!
Thats great news, congratulations! And thanks for the update
 
SUCCESS!!! I had a VIN verifier come out and fill out the REG31 VIN verification form. Took it to DMV with just the bill of sale and $162 later ive got plates, tags and current registration. no inspections, no smog s***, no CHP. Its funny because the thing is missing most of its engine, the whole front clip, all of the doors and the interior....but its got shiny new plates and current registration. Gotta love Kalifornia.

thanks for all the help guys! Mud is the best!

Exactly how I got mine registered. I was going to chime in but thought this one was like :deadhorse:
Congratulations!
 

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