IML: down to crunch time: getting the '82 Imp through smog

[Nat Hall <nathall@xxxxxxxx>]

This is a little lenghty (seems like they always are), please bear with me....

Well, it's down to crunch time. In order to get my new Imperial properly
registered in WA state I have to pass the dreaded smog test.  For those
others who live in Seattle, WA they know like California, regulations are
strict in the counties surrounding the city.  Not quite as bad, but strict
nontheless. Over the weekend, with crossed fingers, I decided to give it a
go.  As expected, the Imperial failed with flying colors. Here's the
kicker: in seven months, the car will be 25 years old and reclassified as a
Collector Automobile.  As such a car, it will be EXEMPT from meeting smog
standards. Because I just purchased the car, by state law I am required to
pass the smog test before the state transfers legal ownership. And I have
only 15 days to transfer ownership or I get fined or somesuch. So basically
I now have 7 days left to get the car smog-legal and transfer ownership.

To be honest, I could care less about smog regulations and standards. The
car runs great! If I was already the legal owner and it was simply the
annual smog testing time, and I failed, I would just ride it out and wait
until 2007 before re-registering when I would be exempt from testing.
However, because I just purchased the car I am put in an interesting
situation. I am going to have to cough up a wad of cash real fast here for
a "repair" that really isn't necessary and probably won't "fix" the issue
anyway. See, there are two ways through this: pay a bundle of money to have
someone fix it or make it pass the test youself.  Even if you fail again
after you've paid someone to have it "fixed", and you provide proof you
paid an "emissions specialist" to do some work, they will grant you a
waiver. It has to be an "emissions specialist" though, can't be just any
mechanic. That's fine and all, but I'm still out a wad of cash. In my
personal experience, I've had two vehicles fail this test. This was at the
normal tesing time-- I was already the legal owner. Both times I jumped the
hoops and paid an "emissions specialst" a lot of money to fix my problem.
BOTH TIMES the problem was not fixed and the cars still failed. One of the
times, an '87 Dodge Omni, the specialist told me I needed a carburetor
rebuild. I had them do the work, was out a few hundred dollars, and got the
car back.  The car ran WORSE than before I took it in and still failed the
test. I got the waiver, but I wasted a ton of money.  Afterwards I found
the actual problem myself: the air pump had literally melted a hole in
itself. Replaced it and all was good. If I found this, I'm sure the
specialist did.  But they know the laws here as well as the next guy and
are happy to take advantage of anyone when it's down to crunch time.

So here's my thing. I don't want to waste a ton of money paying someone to
rip me off and make my Imperial run worse than it does now. And still fail
the test. Especially when in 1/2 of a year I will be exempt from the smog
test forever. I'm just not interested in hearing I need a carburetor
rebuild when I know damn well that's not the case. The engine is the 318
with a factory carb conversion.  No EFI.  The test I failed (they run a
series of different tests) was the "treadmill" test for CO output. The
pamphlet they gave me explains CO is partially burned fuel-- too much fuel,
not enough air. Anything I can tweak for a passing grade?  Suggestions?
Maybe someone who lives in California and has dealt with this crap?



-------------------
Nat Hall
1982 Imperial Coupe
-------------------




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