69 smog issue - CA

[HowardV]

I have a 69 351W engine. I visited BAR today and was told I had the following problems:

1. Holley 600 carb has manual choke and needs eletric.

2. Missing thermostatic air cleaner.

3. PCV - since I'm missing the proper air cleaner, the PCV route is incorrect.

I can replace the carb with a Holley that has an electric choke. But I need help with the thermostatic air cleaner. Any recommendations? How about a temporary one and go without a hood (it's fine to go without a hood).

Howard

[joea]

Did you register under SB100? If so you should have gone by Body year instead of Engine year.

[HowardV]

No, not SB-100. I'm trying to register it as a 2004 specially constructed vehicle with a 1969 engine. All has gone well so far, just need the things listed above to complete the registration process.

If it was SB-100, it wouldn't matter what type of engine I have cause I would have chosen body style year as you mentioned. I'll also have to go back every 2 years for smog, under SB-100 you don't have to go back. Since SB-100 is so difficult to get, i'll try the normal route first, and then try again for SB-100 in the future.

Howard

[joea]

I see...I didn't realize you could still go that route

[jdog]

HowardV,
Please keep us posted with your results. Like joea, I thought that the "engine year" was no longer an option since SB100. This is very good news! PLEASE, post more information on how you went about this! I have a 68 vintage block going into my car and thought I would have to go: SB100 smog exempt. It will be GREAT if I can go with 68 smog regs!

jdog

[HowardV]

See this link on the DMV site:

Click here for the DMV Link

Towards the bottom of the page, note this paragraph:

"Specially constructed passenger vehicles or pick-up trucks registered without a certificate of sequence are subject to emissions control requirements based on the model-year of the engine as determined by the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) referee."

If being registered for the first time, you still have to go through the CHP (VIN), brake/light, and BAR inspection. If your engine is a 60's engine and you can prove it, make sure the engine meets the smog requirements for the year it was built. Then you should have no problems.

When I went to the DMV, I made a copy of their pertinent web pages. It helped tremendously as no one there appeared to know what to do. They made copies of the pages I printed from their own web site! LOL!

My situation was a bit easier since I purchase a used Cobra from NV that was already registered as a specially constructed vehicle in NV (2001 model year). The CA DMV changed it to 2004 and sent me to the BAR referee. All I need to do now is change out the carb and add the new air filter (which is not an easy task!)

Good Luck,

Howard