Looking at a 1978 Arizona Fiat 124 that it is in Texas, smog easy to pass in California?

[Betis]

I need advise on this matter, looking to buy a Fiat 124 spider in Texas. It is all original and has the catalytic converter. Do you think I will have trouble smogging it in California?

[vandor]

Likely not easy.
The emissions plate in the engine compartment has to say it is compliant with California emissions. The 78 CA Spider had a catalytic converter, the 49-state did not.

[Betis]

It has a catalytic converter. Will that make it easier?

[spidernut]

You must, absolutely, positively know that all the other emissions components are installed on the car. The visual inspection requires all of the original smog crap to be present and bone stock. You can get them to pass with relative ease provided everything is there. It might require some tweaking to get everything right, but a good cat, a good carb, timing set right and no vacuum leaks they can pass.

There are several different smog programs depending upon where you live. My 79 passed every time without fail when I lived in one county. I then moved to a more strict county and it failed 2 out of 4 times.

[Betis]

Seeing a pic of the engine will you be able to tell me if everything is there?

[So Cal Mark]

Yes, post a pic of the engine compartment. Csaba has it a bit wrong, federal cars are indeed legal in Calif and only have to be equipped with the original emission equipment. Emission standards are higher for federal cars, so in some instances it's easier to get a federal car past the test.

[Betis]

[Betis]

What do you all think all the smog stuff is there?

[So Cal Mark]

looks intact, some of those original vacuum hoses will need to be replaced. Is the belt on the smog pump?

[Betis]

Not sure, I have not seen in person yet. But if there is no belt, that is an easy fix, right?

[So Cal Mark]

if the belt is missing there is a good chance the pump is seized but still not a huge problem.

[Betis]

Can you still get the smog pump?

[spidernut]

I agree that it all appears to be there. Napa sometimes has rebuilt pumps for $160.

A person with basic skills can pull it apart, clean and put it back together in working order as long as nothing broken inside. I've done it twice and it is a minor pain in the behind, but can be done. Just pay lots of attention to how it comes apart. Most of the time it is just corrosion stopping it from turning freely.

Double check all the vacuum lines for leaks. The problem areas I had with mine were with the diverter valve (on the passenger side fender well), and the electrovalves (on the driver's fender well). Also make sure the points are set correctly, the timing is set correctly and the fuel mixture is adjusted correctly.

It looks from the photos to be quite clean under the hood. Undoubtedly, they have put some work into it over the years.

[bradartigue]

My personal experience (I moved to CA in 2001 for a year and brought a non-CA 81 Alfa Spider) is that the car didn't have to be CA-compliant, but had to have the original and functioning equipment for the year it was made. "Easy to pass" is the problem - will it pass anywhere is the question. While clean burning for the time (even with no smog equipment) the 1978 had a good bit of smog equipment (less than the 79, but still...) and you'll have to have it all functioning to pass CA inspection.

Of course the lady who did my Alfa inspection opened the hood, looked at the motor, looked at me, closed the hood, and we moved on!

From http://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?1dmy& ... r/smogfaq
Does my vehicle qualify for a smog exemption?

Smog inspections are required unless your vehicle is:
•Gasoline powered 1975 year model or older
•Diesel powered 1997 year model and older or with a Gross Vehicle Weight rating (GVWR) of more than 14,000 lbs
•Electric
•Natural gas powered with a GVWR rating of more than 14,000 lbs.
•Motorcycle

[Betis]

So did yours pass CA smog?