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Failed Smog !

real0803

real0803

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I live in So Cal and I have to pass my smog in order to get my registration. I failed CO% on my smog test for the second time . I have a 76 Cordoba with the lean burn taken out . It passed smog somehow in 2016. Does anyone know what I can do to fix it ? Maybe carburator adjustment ? My carb was rebuilt and pretty much new . I'm really thinking about getting a South Dakota registration so I don't have to deal with this anymore. Any ideas what I can do before I pay a smog tech to find out the issue ?

20240406_182855.jpg
 
When I lived in Maryland my older vehicles wouldn't pass and I would open up the air mixture screw a half a turn. Always seemed to do it when I took it back.
 
I would think leaner would be better.
New air filter, higher temp thermostat, lean out the mixture, advance the timing and finally a new catalytic converter.

Does it have an air pump?
 
There is a reason we buy pre 76 cars here in California... 75 & earlier are exempt.... If you run into someone who is a by the rules guy that actually knows old Mopars having the lean burn bypassed would be an automatic fail... If you get sent to the ref, that's an automatic fail....
 
Here in germany i always let a shop deal with this crap...
So in case shops can do this stuff for you, i suggest paying them to deal with it.
 
Good luck with making a '76 pass a smog test to todays standards. Need to find a shop that'll fudge it for you...
 
1 Wild R/T said:
There is a reason we buy pre 76 cars here in California... 75 & earlier are exempt.... If you run into someone who is a by the rules guy that actually knows old Mopars having the lean burn bypassed would be an automatic fail... If you get sent to the ref, that's an automatic fail....
Click to expand...
Actually one day they MAY across the be t be able to regulate/enforce anything Calif post 1961 and post 1962 for everywhere else.
I disagree with the above use of "exempt", its more they currently can't be bothered.
Keep them PCV's in good working order. :lol:
 
my 78 Bronco with a 460 passed...... idle/air adjustment on a properly jetted edelbrock offered a ton of wiggle room

the sweet spot was evident by ear........trying to lean it out sent one of the others out of range, hydro carbons maybe? ........ it was a while ago
 
dadsbee said:
Good luck with making a '76 pass a smog test to todays standards. Need to find a shop that'll fudge it for you...
Click to expand...
Isn't it the 76 standards it has to pass?
 
eldubb440 said:
my 78 Bronco with a 460 passed...... idle/air adjustment on a properly jetted edelbrock offered a ton of wiggle room
Click to expand...
In California you aren't allowed to run an aftermarket carb on emissions controlled vehicles.. Or aftermarket ignitions....
 
1 Wild R/T said:
In California you aren't allowed to run an aftermarket carb on emissions controlled vehicles.. Or aftermarket ignitions....
Click to expand...
Well the basic edelbrock is basically a carter right? :D
 
Michael_ said:
Well the basic edelbrock is basically a carter right? :D
Click to expand...
Doesn't matter... Not allowed... I was California certified for years.... But it was always BS & by the late 80's I let it go...
 
1 Wild R/T said:
In California you aren't allowed to run an aftermarket carb on emissions controlled vehicles.. Or aftermarket ignitions....
Click to expand...

that's just stupid....... it either pollutes, or it doesn't

if you can make the car meet the standards, it should be encouraged
 
eldubb440 said:
that's just stupid....... it either pollutes, or it doesn't
Click to expand...
Why do you suppose I let my license go? If it were about the emissions, measure what comes out the tailpipe.... But it's not... It's about money & politics....
 
Dont bet the house on the S.Dakota registration. I believe they just passed a law you have to have a physical address there now
 
You can retard the timing and lean the idle to help. Fresh plugs might also help. Catalytic converter might need replacement?
 
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