Smog check exemption in CA

[bp71k5]

I've volunteered to help sell my grandmother in laws 77 Lincoln continental and I'm stumped on how my mother in law was able to re-register it after several years of being non-opped. She says she wasn't required to get a smog check because Lake County (where the car is) doesn't require them.

I wasn't aware of any county exemptions within ca. Anyone else heard of this? I'm wondering if I'm going to have trouble selling it for her in Santa Clara county without a smog check. It's got a big 400 in it and leaves a nice black soot on the driveway after idling for a while.

 

[dremu]

Yeah, some of the lower-population areas are smog exempt.

I don't know if that exempts you from the requirement to have it checked at time of sale. You might be able to sell it as a parts car or "as-is", but I seem to recall that the DMV doesn't recognize such sales and technically, at least, you are liable for it to pass smog.

-- A

 

[KohlTrain]

The county I live in, and a few others around me only require smog when selling a vehicle.

 

[bp71k5]

I guess that makes sense. We're up here at her house near clear lake and it doesn't look like the easiest place to sell a car. I figured it'd be easier to sell somewhere closer to civilization, but smogging it might be tough. I can't imagine all the soot coming out of the tail pipe would even pass the loosest of smog test stations.

It's too bad since it's a cool car in great shape and literally driven by a little old lady for the past 30 years. I'm half tempted to keep it.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Ther are a bunch of counties in California that don't require a biennial smog inspection HOWEVER ALL vehicle sales do require a smog inspection unless they had one within the past 90 days.

 

[Mikey von]

Ther are a bunch of counties in California that don't require a biennial smog inspection HOWEVER ALL vehicle sales do require a smog inspection unless they had one within the past 90 days.

All gas powered vehicles (1976 and newer). Diesels are exempt from smog checks.

 

[4X4HIGH]

All gas powered vehicles (1976 and newer). Diesels are exempt from smog checks.

I should have specified that, i was assuming that we were only talking about vehicles that "required" an emissions test.

(Currently, smog inspections are required for all vehicles except diesel powered vehicles, electric, natural gas powered vehicles over 14,000 lbs, hybrids, motorcycles, trailers, or vehicles 1975 and older).

 

[bp71k5]

This makes more sense. I may just try some fuel treatments and get it tested to see how bad it is. Maybe it'll pass and I won't have anything to worry about.

 

[Corey 78K5]

I wasn't aware of any county exemptions within ca. Anyone else heard of this?

Yep. Last time my 78 Blazer had a smog test was when I bought it in 1989. It has always been registered here in Humboldt Co. since I have had it. All I have ever had to do is pay the $37.00 registration fee. Yes it has literally been $37.00 a year for 20 years now. I don't have to do a smog test on my 05 Dodge either. Yes if a vehicle is bought or sold it will need a sniffer test, but that's it.
My Blazer hasn't had an air pump or a cat since the first year I owned it.

 

[Big Blzn]

Brian, if it is as cool as you say, keep it. Or part it out and keep the 400sbc.

 

[bp71k5]

Actually isn't it a BBf? A ford big block? It has giant valve covers compared to my sbc, but dont know anything except it says 400 on the engine tag

 

[cabledawg]

I dont how they were in 77, but Lincoln is made by FMC, so it would most likely be a Ford engine. Certainly wont be a SBC/BBC.

 

[bp71k5]

It's a ford. The logo is everywhere. After drivin it for a while, the motor is kinda sluggish. It doesn't feel like what I imagine a big motor should.

Hoby, Id like to keep it but finances are too tight right now.

 

[KohlTrain]

Man I cant see how strict 1977 smog requirements could have been. I seem to remember some kind of alcohol type additive you could dump into the tank (large quantity) and it might just pass with flying colors.

 

[Thunder]

The engine is a 400C engine based on the 351 cleavland. They are torque monsters.
Very good engine. Very popular to hot rod. Not a small block. not a big block ford, they are an in between engine.
If it is in good shape it shouldnt be too hard to get it to pass smog.
Beings granny drove it, sat a lot and is prolly all carboned up.
Oil change is a must.
Tune up or at least a set of plugs. Set timing ect
tune the idle mixture screws on the carb.
put some good gas in it.
take it out and run it good.
it should pass smog unless something is wrong like carb needs rebuild, bad egr or something like that.

 

[Big Blzn]

The engine is a 400C engine based on the 351 cleavland. They are torque monsters.
Very good engine. Very popular to hot rod. Not a small block. not a big block ford, they are an in between engine.
If it is in good shape it shouldnt be too hard to get it to pass smog.
Beings granny drove it, sat a lot and is prolly all carboned up.
Oil change is a must.
Tune up or at least a set of plugs. Set timing ect
tune the idle mixture screws on the carb.
put some good gas in it.
take it out and run it good.
it should pass smog unless something is wrong like carb needs rebuild, bad egr or something like that.

And maybe some/several cans of Seafoam in all areas to help clean **** out.

 

[79rustyk10]

Yep. Last time my 78 Blazer had a smog test was when I bought it in 1989. It has always been registered here in Humboldt Co. since I have had it. All I have ever had to do is pay the $37.00 registration fee. Yes it has literally been $37.00 a year for 20 years now. I don't have to do a smog test on my 05 Dodge either. Yes if a vehicle is bought or sold it will need a sniffer test, but that's it.
My Blazer hasn't had an air pump or a cat since the first year I owned it.

Damn dude, you got some balls drivin a truck in cali without a cat or the air pump. I certainly hope the hippies dont find out you're trying to kill them with all the excessive tree killing hydrocarbons spewing from your tail pipes.

Hmmm, I do need to remove that cats that are still on my ford... Ill get that done when I put together an engine for it.

 

[Corey 78K5]

Damn dude, you got some balls drivin a truck in cali without a cat or the air pump. I certainly hope the hippies dont find out you're trying to kill them with all the excessive tree killing hydrocarbons spewing from your tail pipes.

Hmmm, I do need to remove that cats that are still on my ford... Ill get that done when I put together an engine for it.

Fock those hippies dude! Like some skinny ass tofu eating smelly POS is gonna tell me how to run my junk. It's not even enforced around here. I deal with the highway patrol all the time through work and they know what I run. One of my buddies who works for them has an 85 Camaro with a built 350 and no smog and he rolls it all the time. Hell half the people around here are running rigs with the engines both gas and diesel pumped up. Even the cook down at the cafe is running a 550 hp WRX. That dude knows how to cook in more ways than one.

 

[4X4HIGH]

The 400M Ford looks similar to the 351 Cleveland but the bellhousing is different. The 351M and 400M share the same block and those engines require the appropriate trans to mount up to them. Those engines are actually a dog compared to the 351 Cleveland engine. By the way, those engines are considered a middle block enigne (not a small block and not a big block).

 

[bp71k5]

I did some more poking around under the hood after I dropped it off and the motor says Ford "400ci". It has cruise control, an 8-track, and electric windows. It would be a fun road-trip car.

I think my evaluation of the motor might just be how those old cars feel. When I jumped on the gas, it didn't seem to leap forward like I wanted, but the speedo numbers would go up pretty quick. I think you just can't feel how fast you're going in those giant boats with wings on them.

I did get a flat tire in Napa on the way back. The spare was also flat so I have to buy two new tires. I think grandma will reimburse me though. I also had a guy following me on the way back call the number on the for sale sign asking about it and I pulled over so he could look at it.