engine help

[blackout]

Hi
I am new to this forum and in the planning stage of my Cobra project and need advice on engine choices. I live in NY and the engine date determines what emission devices must be installed. According to the DMV guide 68 an later must have equipment that came on the engine, therefore I am leaning toward 67 and earlier. Any help?
Mike

[tcrist]

Mike,

You can check out salvage/wrecking yards in your area. Or if you buy an already built engine from a reputable shop( great ones here on CC) just let them know the specifics and they will set you up with just what you need.

[DAVID GAGNARD]

Originally Posted by blackout

Hi
I am new to this forum and in the planning stage of my Cobra project and need advice on engine choices. I live in NY and the engine date determines what emission devices must be installed. According to the DMV guide 68 an later must have equipment that came on the engine, therefore I am leaning toward 67 and earlier. Any help?
Mike

If I understand correctly, (and I may not), you would need a block made in 67 or earlier to not have to have any emissions stuff on it.....depending on the engine of your choice, 67 and earlier engine blocks are out there, you just gotta look......

David

[G_Edmonds]

In some cases all that was required on motors a few years newer was a pcv which you'd probably run anyway. Might make it a little easier.

[Mark IV]

You can use a new crate engine in NY. We have only had to show the DMV inspector a PCV system on Ford Racing crates our customers have used in new Superformance chassis.

[CHANMADD]

My block is a1974, just for in case I ever need to smog .I also run a pcv ,less leaking oil..........

[blackout]

Thanks
I have been looking at Ford racing engines and mid 60s T Birds with a 390. Any negatives with the 390 and would I need power steering with a big block.
Mike

[DougD]

Blackout
A 390 can be a good choice. It is dimensionally the same as the hallowed 427, and can be dressed up to look like one. Only an expert will be able to tell the difference. With aluminum Edelbrock heads and intake, it can shed some of that big block weight, too. If you find one from a T-bird, be sure to grab the radiator "puke tank" from the front of the intake manifold. You'll need it in a Cobra.

I have a Ford Racing crate small block in one of my cars. No issues, and it runs strong. It was an economical alternative to having someone build one for me.

Power steering is subjective. Some build Cobras with PS, but most do not. With wide tires on the front, a Cobra can be kind of difficult to steer at low or no speed. But once rolling, it's really not needed. Your choice.

[bobcowan]

Find the actual regulation from the state of NY. The wording can make a big differance.

In CO, we used to have smog inspections. The regulation that the car will be smog tested based on the year the engine represents. This is a key point. If the engine looked like a '65, it got smogged as a '65. Didn't matter what year the block was.

Also, depending on where in NY, you may not need a smog test at all. I found this: "Some vehicles are exempt from emissions inspections: vehicles one model year old or newer, vehicles at least 26 model years old, vehicles with vintage or historic plates, electric vehicles, motorcycles, farm equipment, homemade or custom vehicles in the upstate area, and diesel vehicles weighing 8,500 pounds or less."

New York Smog Checks - Emissions Regulations, NY Smog Testing Stations at DMV.org: The Unofficial DMV Guide

I also found this: " A home made vehicle is a motor vehicle (car, truck, or motorcycle) constructed or assembled using new or used parts, and is intended for the personal use of the owner/registrant. "

http://www.dmv.ny.gov/forms/vs100.pdf

If you read through the "Instructions for Reghistering a Home Made Vehicle" VS100, the words "smog" or "emissions" do not appear anywhere in the document.

[blackout]

Thanks for the replies. According to the DMV field agent everything hinges on the casting date of the block. I'm sure there are gray areas but want to make the registration process as painless as possible. I am leaning toward a mid 60s T Bird with paperwork.

[Clois Harlan]

I think Brent Lykins may be able to help you with a vintage 390 or perhaps Keith Craft. There are others but I know these guys will do you a great job.

Clois Harlan

[terry251]

When I registered my car in Colorado (2005), I had to have a '69 block, or earlier, to qualify for PCV only. The block casting number was required on a letter from the engine builder, the technical emissions people had to physically verify it and tail pipe test the car, and the State Patrol checked it again when I went for my assigned VIN.
Terry

[bobcowan]

Originally Posted by terry251

When I registered my car in Colorado (2005), I had to have a '69 block, or earlier, to qualify for PCV only. The block casting number was required on a letter from the engine builder, the technical emissions people had to physically verify it and tail pipe test the car, and the State Patrol checked it again when I went for my assigned VIN.
Terry

I registered my car at about the same time. I went to the local branch office of the state emissions department, and got a letter stating what my smog standards were. I was using a 74 block, aftermarket heads, an 8 stack EFI system, and an electronic distributer. I showed him a picture of an original car with Webers, and he agreed that my engine represented that. So I got smogged as a '65 - I had to meet visual and tailpipe standards for that year.

The car is registered as a 2002 kit. The year of the car is based on the date on the MSO from FFR. Fortunatly, no vehicles registered as kit cars need a smog inspection anywhere in CO.

Nobody ever looked at the casting number on the block.

[terry251]

Bob wrote: "So I got smogged as a '65 - I had to meet visual and tailpipe standards for that year."

Bob, did you have to get tail pipe tested for your initial registration? My understanding is that after the initial test, kit cars are exempt. That has been my experience for the last 8 years, but I did have to undergo the initial test in Aurora - but only to 1969 standards.

[bobcowan]

Yes, I did have to do that for the first inspection. But never had to do it again. Currently, I don't believe you need a smog check at all - ever. That was a new change in July 2010 (?). But I could be wrong on that point.