Series 2 XJ12 with 327 CA emission question
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08-16-2017, 08:49 PM
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08-17-2017, 12:39 AM
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#25
08-31-2017, 07:21 PM
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Just to bring this full circle:
I spoke at length with the BAR representative. He stated that current rule is same-model-year-or-newer on the engine, and there are no exceptions he knows of, so the only way this car can be emissions legal in CA is if I can prove that the car went through the referee process prior to March 1984. He further told me that the BAR program has changed vendors at least three times over the years, and each time the records were destroyed. So, the state will have no records going back to the mid 1980s. It would, therefore, be my obligation to locate the proof. And I don't have anyway to do that--even if the car DID go through the cert back then, which is unknown. I've only owned the car a few months and the files I got with it are limited.
The BAR rep suggested that if I want to make this a "nice car" I yank the 327 and install an EFI V8. There is some merit to that idea, but I'm not going to do that. However, my Lemons-racer friend REJECTED the car, so that isn't an option either. Looks like I'm going to have to sell the car for parts or move it out of state. Or just make it a static display in my car barn. It is pretty.
I understand why there are emissions rules, but in this case it seems a bit of formalism over reality. The car is almost 40 years old, just a few years too new to be smogcheck exempt, and its unlikely I will ever drive it more than 1500 miles in a year (as I have 14 other cars to play with).
Thanks for everyone's ideas and insights. Much appreciated. BW
I spoke at length with the BAR representative. He stated that current rule is same-model-year-or-newer on the engine, and there are no exceptions he knows of, so the only way this car can be emissions legal in CA is if I can prove that the car went through the referee process prior to March 1984. He further told me that the BAR program has changed vendors at least three times over the years, and each time the records were destroyed. So, the state will have no records going back to the mid 1980s. It would, therefore, be my obligation to locate the proof. And I don't have anyway to do that--even if the car DID go through the cert back then, which is unknown. I've only owned the car a few months and the files I got with it are limited.
The BAR rep suggested that if I want to make this a "nice car" I yank the 327 and install an EFI V8. There is some merit to that idea, but I'm not going to do that. However, my Lemons-racer friend REJECTED the car, so that isn't an option either. Looks like I'm going to have to sell the car for parts or move it out of state. Or just make it a static display in my car barn. It is pretty.
I understand why there are emissions rules, but in this case it seems a bit of formalism over reality. The car is almost 40 years old, just a few years too new to be smogcheck exempt, and its unlikely I will ever drive it more than 1500 miles in a year (as I have 14 other cars to play with).
Thanks for everyone's ideas and insights. Much appreciated. BW