1984 no smog stuff????????????????

[mrnda]

Picked up my long awaited for new to me truck today.  1984 crew cab with a L6, it was last registered in 2004 but does not have any smog equipment on the truck.  Previous owner is in California and is original owner I believe, is there any bowtie Jedi masters that might be able to explain how this is possible? I would like to throw a 350 in it but if i have to keep the straight six in for non-smog reasons that is okay with me. The VIN is posted below.  Thanks for any wisdom and shared experience


1GCG23T5ES171264

[bake74]

     Did the truck come from California ?  If 2004 was the last time it was registered, maybe someone took off all the smog and could not get it smogged, maybe they let it sit, or used around a ranch or something, or even changed plates with a registered one.

[zieg85]

Picked up my long awaited for new to me truck today.  1984 crew cab with a L6, it was last registered in 2004 but does not have any smog equipment on the truck.  Previous owner is in California and is original owner I believe, is there any bowtie Jedi masters that might be able to explain how this is possible? I would like to throw a 350 in it but if i have to keep the straight six in for non-smog reasons that is okay with me. The VIN is posted below.  Thanks for any wisdom and shared experience


1GCG23T5ES171264

It does vary by the engine/transmission and mainly the GVW.  My 85 C20 came out of the factory with no catalytic convertors and dual exhaust but it also has dual air pumps because it is a standard transmission. 

[mrnda]

Don't know if it came from California yet.  It has standard transmission and is a 3/4 ton truck, no A/C, and manual everything except steering.  There are no emissions stickers under the hood, there is a factory sticker on the wheel well that states what it came with and it all seem to match up.

[Irish_Alley]

it came from St. Louis. the vin you posted doesnt quite match up or at least that i can see
http://73-87chevytrucks.com/VIN2.htm
your vin should be with 11 letter/numbers and 6 numbers
almost like your missing
1GCGc23T5ES171264 the c
1= United States
GC= Chevrolet
G= 8001-9000 Hydraulic
C= 2 Wheel Drive 1981-1986
2= 3/4 Ton
3= four door cab
T=292 6 cyl.
5
E= 1984
S= St. Louis
Production Number   171264

[rustyMUD]

If it's a 292 then it should have come with an A.I.R. pump.  292's never came with anything else in terms of emission equipment.  They were never fitted with cats, egr, carbon can, etc.  In the eighties, the 292 was only offered on vehicles with a GVWR over 8,600 lbs.  This was the cut off for emissions at the time.  Vehicles with a GVWR under 8,600 lbs had regular smog equipment. 
  My 81 292 had a smog pump on it from the factory, but it was removed by a previous owner.  You should have a sticker on the air cleaner(if it's still the factory one).  On the snout of the cleaner, there is a metal tag saying " ENGINE EXHAUST EMISSION CONTROL INFORMATION This engine conforms to U.S. environmental protection agency regulations applicable to the 1981 model year  New Heavy Duty Gasoline Engines"    Additionally, there is another plastic sticker on the drivers side of the air cleaner that has info such as timing, idle speeds, spark plug gap and a vacuum hose map. 
   These stickers are similar to those found on my dad's 1982 3/4 ton with a GVWR of 8,600 lbs.  His truck has a 350 with only an A.I.R. pump.  Hope this info helps. 

[mrnda]

MUD thanks for your input.
It does in fact have an A.I.R. pump and I believe the GVW is north of 8600 lbs, i will hunt for stickers today after work.

Next question is can the engine be changed to a 350 or must it remain a 292? I am a fan if the straight six engines but have a perfectly good 350 in the garage.
---Thanks

[rustyMUD]

Next question is can the engine be changed to a 350 or must it remain a 292? I am a fan if the straight six engines but have a perfectly good 350 in the garage.
---Thanks

    In terms of emissions, it depends on where you live and what the emission laws are in that area.  I wouldn't think that the engine must remain a 292 and you could swap in the 350.  However, I live in Michigan, where there is no emission testing, so I'm not familiar with the specifics. 
   If you do go ahead with the swap, you'll need to redo the engine mounts as 292's have offset engine mounts.  Good luck with the project, and congrats on the new to you truck.

[Irish_Alley]

if im not mistaken if you change the engine the emissions laws will follow to the new engine, like dropping a diesel into a gas truck it would have to follow the diesels emissions not the gas cause it wont pass the same test. most laws also state that the engine has to be same year or newer and been offered in that series but if you get it inspected before hand it will save you a lot of trouble but if you have to go back threw inspection it might cause a problem

[mrnda]

MUD/IRISH

Thanks for your replies the engine Irish, what  you say seems to make sense.  I am going to have to see what our FANTASTIC DMV says about it.  Nothing will be done until then, kind of like hearing from the doctor,  it has to be done but I am not eager to hear the results.

Thanks everyone.

When i find out i will post what the state has to say about it.

[Irish_Alley]

yeah you might luck out like here in maryland you only have to get inspected once

[beastie_3]

you can swap in a 350, but it must have the smog equipment for a 84 truck with a 350. best thing to do is get a 1975 or older truck, they dont require smog.