California SMOG Story

[76GMCK15]

I rarely post to this site, but look at the posts on a regular basis. I decided that I would share my California smog experience.

Two years ago I bought an abused 76 GMC K15. The previous owner had "connections" and was able to get it smogged, no problem. So, a month ago I recieved my annual registration and low and behold I had to report to a test only station. I was some nervous because of the horror stories I have read about (ie gross polluter). Here are the things I did to get this baby to pass.

-New AIR Pipe on passenger side (multiple holes with rust)
-New check valves (Both rotten on the inside)
-New smog pump (soiled with exhaust and not pumping air)
-Clean, rebuild and return carb to specs (The power piston had been cut - replaced it with power piston from a junk yard carb, holes plugged in space next to fuel bowl (?) - removed the plugs, new accelerator pump, standard rebuild kit)
-New vacuum lines.
-New distributor cap and rotor, plugs and wires.
-Set timing within 3 degrees of spec (a california law - and they checked it at the station).
-Adjust the rpm and lean drop to specs.
-Bought some engine conditioner called Blue Sky and followed the directions (I don't know if this helped or not). Filled with Premium gas from Chevron.
-Right before I went to the smog station I changed the oil, oil filter and air filter.
-Drove it hard for 20 minutes. (It was a hot day in the central valley and it got very hot in the smog station - maybe this helped)

I don't have the numbers, but I will post them tonight. To say the least, she passed with flying colors! The smog guy could not believe that the numbers were so low.

Sorry for the long post! I had to share this, because if this truck can pass, any vehicle can pass with a little work.

CD