Smog Fix Suggestions Needed

[The Preacher]

Well, I need to go to work on the '81 J10. PO said he never could get it to pass CA smog. I know where to start but would like as many suggestions as I could get!

This is what I have been told so far.

Change oil & filter - Any particular weight ideal for smog test?

Change plugs & wires

High octane gas

Lean out carb

[Torque]

How much does a test cost?If its reasonable get it done and then you'll have some numbers to work with and this will give you an idea of were your failing.If the EGR is high you can back off the timing

[The Preacher]

There's places around that advertise "no pass, no pay". I'll have to get one of those temporary permits to take it to town and have it checked and go from there.

[Marvin Gates]

John,It seems like I always had to retard the timing to where it would barily run and then after I was done with the test take it home and retune the whole thing so it would get out of its own way. Seemed like such a waste of time (thats Calif for ya). Good luck! MG :D :D smile.gif

[reddog]

Check all your vacuum lines, make sure EGR is functioning, lean out your idle and see how it tests.

Kerry

[desert_freak]

Preacher what you want to do is have a pre-test, most shops will charge about $20-$25. The only way you will get a free retest, is if they do the work otherwise no free retest, AND if they test you and you come up a GROSS POLLUTER you are screwed! You will have to get the thing fixed and then go to a smog referee :( Do the pretest and post the results here. Test the CTO's and egr and make sure they are up to snuff.

P.J.

[Puvong]

Try to find the shop that willing to give you a pre-test for free, then you will get some ideas what you need to fix the truck. However, you need to do all of the above you mentioned..changing oil, plugs, and fine tune the carb, timing, Vac-hoses, EGR etc..

-Actualy it's harder to burn a higher octane gas.
-Too lean/rich will cause miss fire.
-Oil weight is depending on your motor condition?

If the numbers of HC and CO are reading reasonable but failing the test then I would consider putting a new Cat?.

[Woodstock-Waggy]

Do they do a Visual test or just the tail pipe thing?

And do you have the smog pump and air rails on your motor???

If you do:
Make sure the air rails are working / notleaking.

Make sure that the return from the cat is properly hooked to the smog pump. This essentially reburns a portion of the exhaust to further lower some numbers.

Make sure that the pump is working correctly and that the belt is tentioned correctly as this goes a long way towards getting those numbers down.

New air filter can help too.

And I have heard that running a little race fule or something cut with alcohol will burn "cleaner" but i have not tried it myself. . .

Good luck, Metro Atlanta is tough, but nothing compared to Calif. . . .

[talntar]

Make sure that the return from the cat is properly hooked to the smog pump.

that line is an air line to the cat not a return line.btw does everyone elses rattle on the pan and exhaust?

[The Preacher]

Just got back from the free pre test.

Good news, it will pass with no problem. PO practically gave it to me because he said it wouldn't pass. What was he think'n????

Mechanic said just attach a couple vac lines and bring it back for the official test! :D :D :D

I haven't even changed the oil yet!

[reddog]

Originally posted by talntar:
Make sure that the return from the cat is properly hooked to the smog pump.

that line is an air line to the cat not a return line.btw does everyone elses rattle on the pan and exhaust?Mine rubbed through when it goes over the exhaust pipe. Fixed it and clamped it. No more rattle.

Kerry