well, i got a letter from the state yesterday...

[cstanley]

seems a "concerned citizen" (here in dallas) notified the State of Texas Air Quality Control division (down in austin) that my "motor vehicle was seen in dallas, on such and such date, producing "excessive" amounts of smoke.)
so...i'm now a hazard to the environment, and the letter went into lengthy detail about air quality citations being issued, methods for testing,

anyway, i don't typically think of myself as being environmentally irresponsible, but at the same time, "it's just a 'little' smoke, and it goes away after about 3 mins of run time!"

i geuss it's about time for that LS1 swap!

[Yukon Jack]

That is pretty wild.

[ND_guy]

That sucks man!!
Definitely a chance to upgrade and the LS1 sounds right.

[rodstored-72]

i lived in dallas for about ten years & compared to arizona the state inspection process is a more concern there then here...

[farside847]

Yeah, Ive gotten less formal letteres from a "concerned citizen"

[lilred67]

what about tire smoke? thats crazy, your classic truck is excempt from emissions testing.

[cableguy0]

The last time i got complaints about my truck being too loud i removed the exhaust and mufflers and ran open headers for a while to let them appreciate the truck more when it had exhaust on it. didnt get anymore complaints after that

[Ron 586]

Every day it amazes me more the lengths people will go to just to be a PITA. With all the cell phone people able to call in and give your plate number for anything from you being in a hurry, to listening to the music of high compression, headers, and flow masters or they have had a bad day and just want to screw up somebody else. It's getting that way about everywhere so no place to run. Good luck on the swap.

[JAMESCHURCH13]

I'm gonna be running long tube headers with 33 inch purple horines turned down right after the cab of my 67 with a 350. Wonder if i'll get any complaints in Las Vegas.

[68Stepbed]

I would write a letter back to them with a detailed list of expenses to swap to a more "enviroment friendly" engine, and ask them to cover half the expenses.

[sneakysnake]

Thats one of the reasons I live in the country,couldnt stand living next to Pinocchio.

[cstanley]

unfortunately, it came from the state on behalf of an anonymous citizen...
maybe i could write back with an analysis on the smoke currently emitted compared to an engine swap/repairs, including:
1) energy and electricity needed to make the swap, test runs, possible ground contamination...
2) the coal burned to supply said energy and its waste
3) diesel exhaust emitted from shipping new engine from wherever
4) energy required to convert oil to diesel to fuel shipping...

well, i won't try to do the calcs, but surely there's a trade-off?

[Hook'em]

I am sure they sent you a form letter. Did they actually say they were going to check your truck specifically or just list the potential violations? Your truck is grandfathered as it relates to the new high emissions tests.

[cstanley]

it seems to be a form letter, but stated my lic# and year/make/model of the truck. interestingly, it said there was a relatively new law on the books stating that any vehicle, old or new, cannot smoke for more than 10 seconds after ignition...maybe i'll scan the letter and post it for grins...

[Longhorn Man]

hell, we have an 05 chevy truck that smokes longer than 10 seconds on startup.

[Orange]

Originally Posted by farside847

Yeah, Ive gotten less formal letteres from a "concerned citizen"

I have cutouts welded in right behind the headers...

I'll let you guess what would have happened the next morning. And I am normally not a childish type person.

"Your cell phone irritates me." Don't think that would do any good, so I'll just drown them with my single chambers when I drive by.

[70GMCer]

Oh, and don't forget, your truck probably causes "Global Warming"

[jku72]

The real problem here is that there are just too many humans, with nothing else to worry about. I rail against this turning thy neighbor in, but it just happens. It happens all over, not just in the cities. As long as people can remain anonymous, they will be turning in fellow citizens and neighbors for petty things. The only answer is to not turn in people you see doing somthing you don't like. If your neighbors dog barks,for example, don't call the dog officer, call the neighbor. If you are concerned about something, have the berries to talk to someone in person, don't rely on a government stooge. At least the people who wrote the "your truck is too loud" note had the good sense to tell you, rather than call the cops.

[PanelDeland]

I believe the law states that you have the right to face your accuser, "OK.sherriff where is this guy?I don't want no sissies that live in glass houses throwing stones."


I like the note farside got.When my sister was newborn the neighbor across the street used to push his Harley trike(with straight pipes) down the street to in front of our house so he wouldn't wake up their new baby.After my dad put straight pipes on the Merc and beat him out of bed a few mornings he pushed it in the opposite direction.

[farmtruckIII]

Some people have nothing better to do than worry about others. I have neighbors that call the law every chance they get. We'll see how the 454 with straight pipes offends them, as far as the smoke thing, I would not worry I have gotten 3 about my 94 GMC and have never once recieved a ticket.

[71chevytruckguy]

that sucks about ur "cares too much about other ppl citzen." why i love NC, no emmissions testin on anything '95 and older and no inspection period for anything '71 and older. so im in the clear for both my trucks. chris.

[mocwon]

Originally Posted by 68Stepbed

I would write a letter back to them with a detailed list of expenses to swap to a more "enviroment friendly" engine, and ask them to cover half the expenses.

Texas, or any other state for that matter, couldn't care less what the expense is for repair since it's the owner that pays it not the state.

You may try surfing the TXDOT website and see if can find the regulation they say you are violating. I'm with Hook'em, your truck is exempt from emissions testing due to it's age. But..... there may be some obscure regulation in Texas that applies to all non-diesel vehicles.....

[Old Yeller 1970]

Texas has some of the most relaxed polution laws (I grew up there). They probably send that letter out just to be doing it. I seriously doubt if there is any inforcement behind it.

On the other hand, if you've been needing an excuse to drop in the LS1 then don't let me talk you out of your perfect opportunity.

[JAKES 68GMC]

I'm glad I live up in Maine. Rules up here are pretty relaxed. My dad went 3 YEARS in a 93 Ford F250 without an inspection sticker, and one year without it being registered.

Thats really pretty dumb though. If someone complains to the state about you truck smoking, thats pretty pathetic. Is it possible that one of you buddies complained to the state to play a joke on you, or is there anyone out there that has a grudge against you??? I can't believe that someone would actually complain about an old truck smoking.

[cstanley]

no, no grudges...i don't really even know very many people here. i keep the truck registered in my hometown (middle o' nowhere rural central texas) where inspection is sort-of "turn on your blinkers, headlights, honk the horn. you pass."

i just live in an ultra liberal part of town...not that there's anything wrong with that...

i prolly just left a nice blue smoke cloud for someone when i left an intersection.