Smog ?'s

[Flippy02]

Just tried to get my 87 waggy smogged with little luck. i'm unsure of the guys who smogged it because i don't know how they did it but managed to trip a CEL on my Howell tbi kit, and luckily they didn't notice it.

I figured out I need to adjust the timing, and i'm suspecting an exhaust leak from just before the o2 sensor, and i'm thinking i should always do plugs and wires.
anything else that can be suggested?


here's my set up I installed a Howell TBI kit for a stock amc 360 with edelbrock headers

a rebuilt 360 with a rv cam



I appreciate the help so much

[tgreese]

Is this a Howell kit with a CARB number? They should help you, if it does not conform.

[Flippy02]

it does have a CARB# i shot them an email, but currently i'm looking at maybe i need new plugs and wires, check my timing, and hopefully not an exhaust leak just before the o2 sensor

[csuengr]

It is running way, WAY rich. If the CEL was on, then the system may have been in limp mode. With those numbers, the exhaust should be burning your eyes.

[Flippy02]

I have the CEL for the kit installed under the dash, and he left the door open when running on the dyno, the CEL wasn't on for me, and hasn't been on, but i noticed it turned on while the tech was running it on the dyno, and was off again when i was leaving and hasn't come back on since, i just wish i had an obd1 cable to read the computer to see what he did. the exhaust smelled clean to me. lol

[budryzer]

Hopefully someone else will chime in on this one but I'm thinking the test was done improperly.

[Flippy02]

I'm starting to think the same thing.

[csuengr]

An OBD-I code reader is a paperclip, or some other sort of jumper wire.

[Flippy02]

Shows how much I know

[Carnuck]

From the NOx numbers, timing about 5 degrees too advanced. Do you have the O2 sensor? It may be reading too slow.

[mgmann]

Timing and exhaust smell

I live in a state where smog is not an issue and no checks are done. However, I recently did some distributor work and have been monkeying around with the timing trying to get my 88 gw back to normal. I've got it running pretty well, but the exhaust has a sharp sort of smell that burns my eyes and doesn't seem quite right. I've got it timed to +12 degrees and live at abut 4,500 feet altitude. Any thoughts?

[Carnuck]

Anyone near you have a gas analyzer?

[4x4Dad]

Not sure this will help, but when I got my rig smogged two months ago, the smog guy said he had to "heat the bleep" out of the cat to get it to pass. He said universal cats don't last more than a couple tests (3-4 years). Perhaps your cat is old.

[mgmann]

No big deal......

Thanks guys. Just curious what that might be. Doesn't affect the way the beast runs and since Montana doesn't have any laws regarding smog I'm not going to worry about it. If they did I'd be in a world of hurt since I removed the air pump and all related goodies once the lines going to the exhaust manifold rusted shut. Another example of the government hurting little guys who are just trying to enjoy life a bit.

[Carnuck]

If you removed the AIR pump but not the cat, I know what the smell is!