Rebuilding an engine in California
 

Not sure if this is the appropriate forum.... but correct me if I'm wrong. After a full rebuild, you really need to drive the car for 500-1000 miles for everything to settle in and seal up, and then and ONLY then will emissions be at a level that should allow you to pass smog.. right?

Well the brains who run the State of California passed a new regulation that took effect in January. If you've had your car off the road for some time for the rebuild, and the registration expired more than two months ago, you can't get a permit to drive it on the road, except a one-way to a smog station! You used to be able to get a 60 day permit... but no more.

We went to DMV and the manager there actually suggested the only way to do this was "Drive real careful and hope you don't get pulled over!"

Anyone else run into this kind of lunacy?

JB

The DMV wouldn't give me a temporary permit (exact same reasons) for more than one day. When I explained that I had just rebuilt the car and that I needed a couple days to shake it down and get it tuned up for smog they suggested I get a one day temporary registration, go fail a smog test, come back to the DMV with proof of the failed smog test and then they would issue a 60 day temporary registration. I offered to show them receipts, pictures of the car without an engine, etc. but it didn't matter. I finally gave up and drove the car around for two days with no registration so I could get the engine broken in and smog test it.

I took an old car to get the VIN verified by the DMV in 2007. No problem until I get the pink slip with the wrong last number in the VIN. I call and the lady tells me sure bring it back and we will fix it. I tell her I need to tow it back in and its a hassle etc. and if there is any way they can just fix it in the computer. Now she says, we dont verify VINs on cars that are not operational anymore. ugh. I call Sacramento and the guy says, yep good luck with that.

As far as the 500 miles before smog is concerned, I would only worry about that if you put a new set of rings in. Maybe go to a track day and put some miles on, and on your one day permit get a pretest before the real test to be sure. Whenever I get a smog done, I make sure the engine has new oil and a clean air filter, and I drive it around for 20 minutes before the test to get the cats as hot as possible.

Thanks John - ya DMV regs are a piece of work! Our engine has your cams, new 98mm Nikkies and JEs... etc.... so we came up with a unique solution that I can't mention here! :-)

JB

Just reading this stuff drives me nuts. I've lived here for almost a year, and I can see the good and the bad about California. This place is fantastic is so many ways, but &*%(, it is like people are intentionally trying to ruin it.

Sorry for the random rant. I wouldn't hesitate to drive it illegal so that you can comply with the law.

I almost wonder if the state prefers that people DON'T rebuild engines, but junk the cars instead.

Their logic: if it needs a rebuild, it's an old car, therefore even with a rebuild it will pollute more therefore get that pig off our roads! SmileWavy

Flawed of course, but it IS politicians that come up with these regulations.

It goes along with the "can't modify the fuel system" because its "emissions related" so you can't put EFI on to replace CIS, even though EFI is (potentially) cleaner, more efficient, etc. Not that I'd put EFI on for environmental reasons, but that would be a fringe benifit.

Oh, and the logic is: "Its really hard to make old cars meet new emission regs... so we'll just make it even harder to fix them"

As long as the car doesn't attract too much attention (loud?) then put the old tags on, drive her the 500, and try to pass. You should have some time between now and July 4th where the cops aren't all over the road.

Secondary suggestion, if you are that worried, is to drive Friday/Saturday from 11pm to 1am. Registration sticker is harder to see at night and at that hour cops are looking for drunks, not bad registration. Just don't stay out past 1... thats when the drunks actually do come out.

Just finished a rebuild as well and I've been skulking around at night here in the Dallas area since the police in the little town I actually live in (University Park) are notorious for their "diligence". Already got nailed a couple of years ago for an expired safety inspection and not interested in another $120 fine. BTW, I called the shop who's done the inspections in the past and he thought it would probably pass now so long as it was good and warmed up.

Register it as a 1974.