1977 Chevrolet K-Series: Emissions Equipment

[lt1silverhawk]

I have a 1977 Chevrolet Pickup. I took it in for a smog test and the technician refused to do the test because the engine did not have an EGR valve on it. He said he looked up the truck’s info in his manual and it said that the truck came with an EGR valve.

I believe the technician did not look up the right information and I have been researching for about a month now. I want to get my information in order before I deal with the smog shop again or even go as far as dealing with the state’s smog referee.

I have been using the following for my research:

• California DMV website (www.dmv.ca.gov)
• Bureau of Automotive Repair website (http://www.autorepair.ca.gov/)
• GM Service page (http://service.gm.com/dealerworld/vincards/pdf/vincard77.pdf)
• Chuck’s Chevy Truck Pages website (http://www.chuckschevytruckpages.com/)
•  Truck website (http://www. competitor.com/)
• Chilton’s "Chevy/GMC Pickups and Suburbans 1970-87", 1988 edition. (1998 edition available on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Pickups-Suburbans-1970-87-Chiltons-Tune-Up/dp/0801978289/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1304444186&sr=8-1-spell).

The truck does not have a VIN plate on the driver’s side of dash, and there is no data plate on the driver-side door jamb (see attachment #1). However, there is an “Assigned Identification Number” plate which lists the vehicle’s VIN as well as a control number (information on these plates: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/plates/decalsplacards.htm). I also have the original sticker with the RPO codes (see attachment #2). The emissions sticker is also missing.

Based on all the resources I listed, I have decoded the truck is a CKL24: Chevrolet, K Series, 350 V8 4 barrel, cab and pickup box, ¾ ton.

A member on another forum has mentioned that: the model number CK20903 is "Heavy Duty Fleetside Pickup 4WD", though the RPO sticker has the step-side option listen; RPO code YF5 listed on the sticker means the truck meets CA emissions requirements, but not which ones.

According to Chilton’s, which has a large breakdown of the emissions equipment, the California Heavy Duty trucks came with a 350 V8 with no EGR valve. This truck does not have one but has all of the other emissions equipment intact, which completely matches the Heavy Duty emissions setup as illustrated in the book. The truck does have an Edelbrock Performer intake manifold that does not accommodate an EGR valve (part #2101). However, as a member on another forum pointed out, why would someone get rid of the EGR, but keep the rest of the emissions equipment.

Also, the truck has 8 lug axles which, to my knowledge, are a heavy duty option.

Lastly, I ran the VIN as well as the license plate number on the California DMV's Vehicle Test History page (http://www.bar.ca.gov/pubwebquery/Vehicle/PubTstQry.aspx), and the it has records going as far back as 1996. The truck has been smoged every time as a C20, and once as a K20.

My questions are: what is the best way to determine what the GVWR of a vehicle is when the data plate is missing? Would certain options make it obvious? Are their any options I can point to and say, "this truck is a Heavy Duty model", aside from showing the emissions diagram from Chilton's?

I thought would ask the members on this forum if I am reading the information correctly. Although there is always a chance that, when all is said and done, there will be another manifold and an EGR valve under the hood. But if I can prove otherwise, I will give it a try.

Any help or information in this matter is greatly appreciated.

[beastie_3]

go to a different smog tech. because he looked in a book, he wont find the right answers because something changed with the truck since it was made, hence the assigned VIN. i dont know what smog techs can do, but i would think that if he inputs the new assigned VIN in the computer, it will tell him what to visually look for. it sounds like he was lazy because when I got my car smogged, the computer told my tech what to visually look for.

did you just buy this vehicle? because if you did, it is the SELLERs responsibility to get it smogged for you in Cali.

The assigned VIN means that the truck has been modified somehow-different frame, cab on a different chassis, etc. using the original VIN doesnt work anymore. If it is a 77 cab, it would have had the original VIN where the newer assigned VIN is now, that is what those mystery holes are. I assume the VIN in the glove box doesnt match the new assigned VIN


Where in cali are you?

[bake74]

     Same as beastie said, though I would find a good mechanic shop first and see if they have the computer program to look up and see what is required.
     Again the assigned vin# means it has been altered and checked out under the new assigned #.  So again, if you can not find a mechanic shop that can tell you, I agree with beastie, take it to a different smop shop.  Maybe ask them also to look up the info, not look in a book.
     Welcome to the site from Sac, California.

[lt1silverhawk]

Hey beastie_3,

go to a different smog tech. because he looked in a book, he wont find the right answers because something changed with the truck since it was made, hence the assigned VIN. i dont know what smog techs can do, but i would think that if he inputs the new assigned VIN in the computer, it will tell him what to visually look for. it sounds like he was lazy because when I got my car smogged, the computer told my tech what to visually look for.

I 100% agree with you on the laziness part and will try another shop.

did you just buy this vehicle? because if you did, it is the SELLERs responsibility to get it smogged for you in Cali.

You are right, it is the seller's responsibility. Due to the circumstances of the deal (price was good and the owner was heading out of the country shortly), I went ahead and took his word that the truck had recently passed the smog test (though he didn't give me any paper work). That was well over a year ago and I took my sweet time registering it.

The assigned VIN means that the truck has been modified somehow-different frame, cab on a different chassis, etc. using the original VIN doesnt work anymore. If it is a 77 cab, it would have had the original VIN where the newer assigned VIN is now, that is what those mystery holes are. I assume the VIN in the glove box doesnt match the new assigned VIN

Actually the VIN on the new plate and the glove box sticker are the same.

Where in cali are you?

Im over in Lakewood, right by Long Beach.




Hey bake74,

     Same as beastie said, though I would find a good mechanic shop first and see if they have the computer program to look up and see what is required.
     Again the assigned vin# means it has been altered and checked out under the new assigned #.  So again, if you can not find a mechanic shop that can tell you, I agree with beastie, take it to a different smop shop.  Maybe ask them also to look up the info, not look in a book.
     Welcome to the site from Sac, California.

Thanks for the welcome! I was recently up in Sacramento. Loved the train museum!

Yes, I definitely plan on hitting up another shop. Just wanted a second opinion from you guys before I went out and started buying new intake manifolds and EGR valves. Right now, the motor is partly taken apart to chase down a lost bolt in the head. As soon as its back together, I'm visiting the local smog shops.




Thanks guys! 

[beastie_3]

I would find your answer before you put it back together because if you do need a EGR, you wont have to take the manifold back off to put the required one back on.

[lt1silverhawk]

That's a good point. I can just go over to the shop with the VIN, which should be sufficient.  Thanks!

[topp]

Federal Emissions for light duty:
Since 69 all vehicles need an A.I.R. System
Since 73 ( Might be 72) an EGR valve
Since 75, Cats on light duty vehicles

Dunno when they mandated heat risers or Charcoal Canister.

For HD, I don't think they had anything....

As for Cali, well yer screwed there 'cause they are like the soviets when it comes to anything

[beastie_3]

tell him your situation, and maybe bring the registration to show you own the truck so can show him your not just some random person

[VileZambonie]

Yes find another shop and ask them WHAT is required. If they're just doing a visual inspection just rig one up under the hood and make it look like it's there. They're probably dumb enough to believe its real.

[beastie_3]

they are dumb, my car has a stock header and he tried to fail me on it because it didnt have a CARB stamp.

[VileZambonie]

You should be able to find this info for 77. This is for 82

Footnotes:

X - Equipped

- Not Equipped



1 - Timed at No. 1 cylinder W/engine at normal operation temperature & distributor vacuum advance hose disconnected & plugged.
2 - C, G, K, P Series Except 5.0L VIN H, HEI; 5.0L VIN H. HEI/EST. S/T Except Calif. 2.8L, HEI; Calif. 2.8L, HEI/EST. Caballero/El Camino, HEI/EST.

3 - One O2S.



4 - W/4 wire Electronic Spark Timing connector, at distributor, disconnected.

5 - Exc. high alt.

6 - High alt.



7 - Exc. cab-chassis, less A/C 16 degrees BTDC @ 650 RPM; with A/C 14 degrees BTDC @ 650 RPM. Cab-chassis, 16 degrees BTDC @ 650 RPM.
8 - Exc. cab-chassis, 6 degrees BTDC @ 650 RPM. Cab-chassis, 8 degrees BTDC @ 650 RPM.
9 - W/jumper wire connected between Assembly Line Diagnostic Link terminals A & B. The connector is located in the passenger compartment, under the instrument panel, to the right of the steering column.
10 - Exc. C10 series, 10 degrees BTDC @ 650 RPM; C10 series, 10 degrees BTDC @ 600 RPM.
11 - Exc. C10 series, 10 degrees BTDC @ 700 RPM; C10 series, 10 degrees BTDC @ 625 RPM.

12 - P20-30 incomplete vehicles not equipped.

13 - Caballero & El Camino.

14 - C, K, G & P Series.

15 - Diesel engine EGR system.

16 - Back pressure EGR valve system.

17 - Some C10 models not equipped.

18 - Back pressure EGR valve system.

19 - Type, TWC; number of catalytic converters, 1.

20 - Type, OC; number of catalytic converters, 1.

21 - Solid State Ignition (SSI).

22 - Distributor Ignition (DI)/EIS.



23 -  Pump or pulse type, refer to vehicle emission control information label.

24 - Pump type.

25 - C-3 System.

26 - Closed Loop Emission Control System.

27 - DI/HEI/EST.



28-  On CA models, scribed marks on pump & front cover should be aligned. On FED models, half circle marks on pump & front cover should be aligned.
29 -  Certain El Camino models, may experience an inoperative canister purge thermo-vacuum switch.

[lt1silverhawk]

Hey topp,

Federal Emissions for light duty:
Since 69 all vehicles need an A.I.R. System
Since 73 ( Might be 72) an EGR valve
Since 75, Cats on light duty vehicles

Dunno when they mandated heat risers or Charcoal Canister.

For HD, I don't think they had anything....

This truck has the PCV, the A.I.R. injection setup, what I believe is the charcoal canister, and the Throttle Return Control Valve and the Throttle Lever Actuator setup (only found in the California Heavy Duties, according to Chilton's). It doesn't have any heat risers.

As for Cali, well yer screwed there 'cause they are like the soviets when it comes to anything

That's a bit of a harsh take on a rather liberal state, ain't it? Lol!




--------------------------------




Hey beastie_3 and VileZambonie,

tell him your situation, and maybe bring the registration to show you own the truck so can show him your not just some random person

Yes find another shop and ask them WHAT is required. If they're just doing a visual inspection just rig one up under the hood and make it look like it's there. They're probably dumb enough to believe its real.

they are dumb, my car has a stock header and he tried to fail me on it because it didnt have a CARB stamp.

Lol! Riggin' it up should be no problem, unless they are the hardcore type that do test out the EGR also. Other option is to buy this used Weiand intake on Craigslist for $90. It accomodates the EGR as well as the divorced choke carb currently in the truck.

I'm gonna try and talk to the shop's owner directly since he and I go back and he's always been upfront with the me. The I know the tech just as long but over time, his work ethic has eroded, sadly. But worse come to to worse, I go to another shop with the information and ask them what the truck should have. Glad your mentioned the registration part. Although that's what I would plan on taking, I could've just written down the VIN while on the run around.

Btw, where did you get that info on the '82? That's the kind of info I've been digging for eveywhere.




Thanks for the tips and pointers guys!

[beastie_3]

It is because of the liberals that make the smog laws so strict...