Did Dealers remove SMOG?

Belair62 · #1 09-22-2001, 02:04 PM

On a Claifornia side note....there were special emission requirements as early as 1961...no road draft tubes on Cali. cars ...Charlie or ??? how early did Cal. require emissions ?

bbdon · #2 09-23-2001, 05:02 AM

In 69, V8 Camaros and Novas had a air pump if they had a manual transmission, but they did not if they have an automatic. The reference books used at the smog check stations here in California erroneously state that the big block automatic cars have a thermal air cleaner. I used to have to put one on, along with a nox kit, to pass the smog test. My understanding is that the air pumps were on all of the cars sold in the US, not just California.

JoeC · #3 09-25-2001, 02:55 PM

Poking around in the books I see the carbs were different for w/o A.I.R. If you look through the Holley carb listings they show 1967 396 with or without A.I.R. Then in 1968 - 69 they do not specify with or without A.I.R. for the L78, L72 Holley. It looks like there was only one carb listed for the L72 which I believe is for A.I.R. On the 1969 Q-Jet listing the third digit of part number designates a w/o A.I.R. carb. My listing shows 396 325hp and 350hp Qjets had no A.I.R. in 69 but then in 1970 they list CA and non-CA for 49 state emission carbs. (The people in Cali just have to be different). I think the 49 state emission rule started in 69 and was also an option in 69 but my carb listing does not show it. I will post this question on some sites to see what they say. Also a fan belt listing should show a different part number for w/o A.I.R.

L72COPO · #4 09-25-2001, 02:59 PM

In December 1969 I purchased a new SS396, 325HP, M-20 and it had the AIR pump (which I promptly removed). My 69 Yenko Camaro had the original ext. manifolds when I purchased it. They were plugged and all other smog items were missing.
Sometime back I read a tech article (I believe it was in the Chevele Report published by Mark Meekins), that all manual transmission 1969 Chevrolet passenger cars had the AIR system. If memory serves me, this was done to counteract the emission out-put caused by the many different driving skills and techniques of manual transmission operators vs. automatic transmission drivers. In effect factory set shift points vs. operator shift points.

Chevy454 · #5 09-25-2001, 03:18 PM

So, would an auto car be different? From reading the above, it seems everyone agrees the manual cars got the AIR pumps, but we are "iffy" on the auto cars...?

L72COPO · #6 09-25-2001, 03:30 PM

I believe the article went on to say that all solid lifter cars, manual and automatic, had the AIR system. Can't recall the "rule" for California built and sold cars.
My Camaro is a M-21.
Sorry for not including this in my original reply.
Thanks
Don Stowers

Rowdy Rat · #7 09-26-2001, 05:15 AM

A gentleman that I know had his Corvette at a local show back in March and brought much of the paper documentation for the car along with him. It seems that a previous owner had made inquiries to GM of Canada (it was originally a Canadian delivered L-88) about the possibility that it was delivered without the A.I.R. equipment. He received paperwork back from GM regarding Canadian specific options, in particular, an option called KD1 which allowed the buyer to delete the A.I.R. equipment (subject to local laws). It was listed as available for all passenger cars with the exception of Corvette.

I have no idea if this was a "paper option" or if people actually ordered it, but it is certainly worth researching.

Regards,

Stan Falenski

Dedicated to the Promotion and Preservation of American Muscle Cars, Dealer built Supercars and COPO cars.