Hamstrung C10

[blujay42]

New member...first post...looking for advice. Here is the issue...I was gifted an 85 Silverado that is in very, very good shape. Except for requiring a complete redo of the interior the rest of the external cosmetics are great. No dents, rust (slight) in two places; paint and moulding need attention. I at first wanted to spend a little money rebuilding it, but, I have discovered that the Emissions System components were gutted when the stock engine was swapped out. It will not pass a state inspection. I can install Antique plates that will allow me to drive it, albeit sporadically, but not how I had envisioned. However, my hopes that the vehicle can be a "daily" driver are obviously up in the air. Anyone else ever face this issue, and, if so were you able to solve the problem?

[zieg85]

Welcome from IL

[berserk]

New member...first post...looking for advice. Here is the issue...I was gifted an 85 Silverado that is in very, very good shape. Except for requiring a complete redo of the interior the rest of the external cosmetics are great. No dents, rust (slight) in two places; paint and moulding need attention. I at first wanted to spend a little money rebuilding it, but, I have discovered that the Emissions System components were gutted when the stock engine was swapped out. It will not pass a state inspection. I can install Antique plates that will allow me to drive it, albeit sporadically, but not how I had envisioned. However, my hopes that the vehicle can be a "daily" driver are obviously up in the air. Anyone else ever face this issue, and, if so were you able to solve the problem?

Not sure about emission things because my state doesn't require it. I would say register it as an antique and get a cheap 4 banger to daily drive. This would give you time to work on it and not stress when a starter goes or a wheel bearing needs replaced and you have to go to work the next day.
 
You could also look into a fuel injection swap, either an after market bolt on system or a complete engine swap and retain the emissions equipment to make it smog legal.
I didn't know people were doing the LS swaps before I sent my old carbed 350 to be rebuilt or I would have gone that route. Now I get 9 mpg instead of 14-16 mpg of an 5.3 ls.

[Tazman]

Welcome from AZ.

[roundhouse]

For now I'd put the antique plates on and worry about the smog stuff later

You just need the junk for a visual ?
Or you have to pass a sniffer test ?


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[blujay42]

Guys, me thinks I've found the solution.  Being in Virginia, I figured, what the heck, let's see what the VA-DMV has to say about this.  This is what I pulled from the DMV Website...

 Motor vehicles exempted from emissions inspections include:

Gasoline powered passenger or property carrying vehicles with a model year that is more than 25 years old before January 1 of the current calendar year. As an example, vehicles with a model year of 1984 are exempt from emissions on or after January 1, 2009; vehicles with a model year of 1985 will be exempt from emissions on or after January 1, 2010.  As an example, vehicles with a model year of 1984 are exempt from emissions on or after January 1, 2009; vehicles with a model year of 1985 will be exempt from emissions on or after January 1, 2010.  Vehicles 25 years old or older qualify as antique motor vehicles but are not required to display antique license plates to qualify for the emissions exemption. Although exempt from the emissions inspection, the $2 emissions fee is required when renewing these registrations.

Now all I have to do is make sure my ride is road safe, and away I go!!!

Thanks for the great input guys...as soon as I get my camera working I will post some "before/as is" photos before I start working on improvements.       

[Irish_Alley]

so no inspection at all? most times they will do a visual to make sure you still have a cat if you have a safty inspection but idk about VA

[blujay42]

Tim, here in VA they still want to make sure you have the emissions components in the vehicle. All that is left in mine seems to be the cannister that sits in the lower left front of he engine compartment. Nevertheless, I want to have fun working on this truck...a retirement hobby.  I have about 25 photos to post...the first four are attached.  The white paint was applied over what appears to be Grecian Gold.