Carburated 3F failed emissions...

[doug720]

If you were running an efi system like Megasquirt you could create your own fuel maps and one could be done specifically for beating the emissions test. This is something I'd consider if I had all the 3FE manifolds already....but would be a lot of work to fab up an efi system and work out all the issues just for the test.

Hey, you could work for VW!

 

[Seth S]

Hey, you could work for VW!

Or GM

 

[Honger]

Holy stinkin' cow! I searched the freakin' part number and got none of these hits. Thanks a bunch man.

 

[Honger]

Don't know. But can't the Mix screw be swapped out for one that is 'Normal'?

I'm sure it could... but I'd need the SST to get the current mix screw out. In the meantime the metal collar at the top of it just spins in place.

 

[Spike Strip]

Were you able to locate the SST?

 

[Honger]

Were you able to locate the SST?

It's a discontinued item... and that link is the only place I've found them. I ordered one... they sent me an invoice. But I'm not totally convince that site isn't some sort of scam.

I examined the adjuster last night and I can't for the life of me figure out a way to turn it with a screwdriver, allen key, etc. And I can't figure out how that SST would work... inside the free-spinning collar there is just a rounded head... without any apparent catching spot on it for a tool to engage.

Torn on whether or the tool or not... it's $50. And might be a scam.

And I failed emissions again today. I need some way to lean out the carb...

 

[doug720]

There was once a strange story of a young man...OK, middle age man who had trouble with the smog devils.

To get past their evil tests, he made his fuel concoction - a custom blend E85 fuel. Rumor was the ratio was around 50/50 E85 and ethonal, rsulting in a E50, or higher! Legend has it, he passed the evil test with flying colors, then drove straight to the gas station and filled he much loved LC with the best gas he could find to protect his precious beast.

The story goes on that he ran the truck low on fuel, added a gallon or 2 of ethanol from a Home Improvement Depot, did a nice freeway run to get everything nice and hot, then headed in for the test. The smog devils were satisfied, and granted him another year of pleasure.

I can't swear the story is 100% true, but I believe it, and the legend who tried it lives on in a place where Mud is Hated.

I bet a few others may confirm the story.

 

[JTU]

Setup a Montana LLC, register the vehicle in Montana under said LLC. No emissions test necessary

 

[Spike Strip]

Setup a Montana LLC, register the vehicle in Montana under said LLC. No emissions test necessary

I've seen people say this before but doesn't some part of this process involve being in Montana for the paperwork ?

Or are there companies run by guys with broken-noses who can do this for you

 

[Seth S]

Register it in Vermont. Done. Though technically you could get busted for missing a Vermont inspection sticker.

 

[JTU]

I've seen people say this before but doesn't some part of this process involve being in Montana for the paperwork ?

Or are there companies run by guys with broken-noses who can do this for you

Montana allows your to register out of state. With a little bit of legal knowledge of setting up a LLC you can do it yourself. Or there are plenty of law firms that offer Montana LLCs as a service.

 

[doug720]

There is "A Lot" more to having a Montana LLC than a simple set up. In addition, registering a vehicle out of state has its own issues.

A Montana LLC requires:
1) An agent
2) An instate address for service
3) There can be tax issues
4) Cost - It varies by attorney, but range from $1000 - 2000 to set up - depending on title and how many vehicles the LLC holds. There are yearly maintenance fee's also - $100 - 200 year.

There can be other issues:
1) Insurance:
A) Some companies will not issue policy's
B) Without a legal address and/or drivers license in the LLC state - Insurance coverage can be denied after a claim
C) Some companies charge a premium for coverage.

2) Police:
A) Police will cite a driver and vehicle if they suspect fraud as the reason the vehicle is registered out of state - make owner prove otherwise!
B) Attorneys in Montana use their office addresses as Service address for hundreds of LLC's. The cops know this, and will cite you.
C) Fee's - Cops, DMV's, Tax Boards and Courts know all about Montana LLC's. They want the money and will throw the book at an LLC owner.

3) Title - Vehicles Owned by an LLC are titled as owned by "XXXXX, LLC." Many states recognize this and will investigate the LLC ownership to determine if it is legitimate or a "Dodge" when a vehicle is sold or re-titled. If determined to be a dodge, the owners will be subject to penalties, back taxes, etc.

4) With license plate readers on police cars becoming more common, and the power of computers, determining if an LLC is legitimate is very easy. Especially on a vehicle driven daily or parked on the street.

5) Drivers License - When operating a vehicle that is registered (especially a vehicle owned by an LLC) in a different state than the state the operators drivers license is issued, cops will issue a ticket and make driver sort it out with courts and DMV.

One may suspect "WEE" may of had a Montana LLC at one time...? They can work, and did work, and there are people I know that have them still, but the risk is high to get caught, and getting higher everyday. In Nevada, the DMV website now has specific information about Montana LLC's and what happens if caught!

If you have a friend of relative in Montucky, you could use their address, but remember the insurance issues, cops and DMV can trip you up.

If you decide to go the Montucky LLC route, I may know an attorney...

Keep your eyes open if you decide to go this route.

 

[Honger]

Oooooooookay...

Back to trying to get this done on the up-and-up.

I installed a catalytic convertor. I adjusted the valves and set the timing. I put in fresh gas with ethanol.

I failed my retest. Improved hydrocarbons and NOX, but not CO, and not NOX by enough.

What I didn't do was a lean-drop tune of the carb because I can't find the tool to adjust the idle mixture screw...

I'm working on a solution to that situation... a tool has been ordered from Thailand. We'll see what becomes of that.

In the meantime I applied for a waiver from Arizona ADEQ... was told "your truck is grey market and doesn't belong here, you probably can't get a waiver even if you met the qualifications, which you don't". The waiver would have only bought me one year but it would have let me get a title on the truck at least... the lack of title has resulted in my insurance company saying they are going to cancel my policy on July 31 because it's grey market until it gets a title.

So I only have one more 3-day pass left from the MVD before I'm going to have to start towing the truck around... and I'll have no insurance after the 31st. The waiver would buy me a year to fuss with this. I'm confident that I could solve it within that time.

Getting classic car quotes now...

 

[cruiserdan]

I tried to tell you...

I'd move.

 

[Honger]

I tried to tell you...

I'd move.

You did... you were right.

I’ll figure something out. My dad’s offered to take it off my hands.

 

[doug720]

I suggest you re-read the old story a few posts back. It could get you a year to figure something out!

 

[Spike Strip]

Possible to get a higher res pic of that mix 'screw' ... I'm not sure the SST I showed you will work .... Is it possible that's a cap?

 

[Honger]

Possible to get a higher res pic of that mix 'screw' ... I'm not sure the SST I showed you will work .... Is it possible that's a cap?

It’s not a cap... and dimensionally the small head of the SST will work.

I’m sourcing the SST... but I’m not confident it will turn up.

I’m liking the dremel idea...

 

[Prairie Swamp]

Just asking - will they fail you on visual inspection for cutting a slot in that screw. If not I'd cut away.

 

[Honger]

Just asking - will they fail you on visual inspection for cutting a slot in that screw. If not I'd cut away.

I don't think so... they passed me on visual... I think basically because my truck is so non-standard for this market that they didn't want to really try. =)