Smog failure

Spiderferg · Post by **Spiderferg** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 11:07 pm

yes, it has a non cat sticker.

mdrburchette · Post by **mdrburchette** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 5:29 am

Congratulations Bob and Bob! I sure am glad my Spiders only need a safety inspection. In NC, only 1996 and newer vehicles require an emmissions test and anything over 35 years old doesn't even get a safety. Next year I can save $9.25

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 8:14 am

Yes, Mine has the NON-CATALYST sticker on the door as well. A pretty rare sight for a 78. No fuel filler size restricter under the gas cap either. My car was originally sold in Connecticut.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 11:44 pm

Here we are one year later. Thanks the Arizone state law, I have to have my 78 Spider emissions tested every year (forever unless the law is changed). Why I originally registered this car in August, 21 years ago, I don't know. Stupid decision. Too damb hot! Anyway, I got it to pass emissions tonight. I initally tried about a week ago but failed. The first time I had done nothing to help it pass. Everything was set to spec; timing, idle...Tonight I implemented the usual tricks. Retard the timing (a lot). Add 1 gal of denatured alcohol to about 4 to 5 gallons of gas. Bumped up the idle to about 1200 RPM. Ran it over to the station around 6:55 (ran like shit). They close at 7:00 (nothing to do with helping me pass).
The results:
Loaded HC now 51, was on initial test 257, passing <250 ppm
Loaded CO now .25, was 2.67, passing <1.65 %
Idle HC now 137, was 250, passing <250 ppm
Idle CO now .52, was 1.83, passing <2.20 %
I pulled out of the station and into the parking lot, popped the hood, reset the distributor to the correct timing, closed the hood, dropped the top and went on my way. The four ~19 year old kids working at the inspection station didn't seem to pay any attention, but then, none of them knew what a Fiat was...
I'm having a Heineken to celebrate.
255k on the clock and counting!

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 12:07 am

congrats! You're lucky about the timing, here in Calif the timing has to be within 3 degrees of the factory setting

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 1:14 am

How do they know if the timing is correct?

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 1:32 am

they have to check it with a timing light

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 1:57 am

But...If I lived in California I wouldn't need to have this car tested anymore.

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 10:52 am

1976 and newer have to be smogged here, no more years drop off the chart

Spiderferg · Post by **Spiderferg** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 5:37 pm

hey Bob- since you went to all this trouble, why didnt you register it for two years like me???? You would have saved around $10 bucks on denatured alcohol.

Spiderferg · Post by **Spiderferg** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 5:38 pm

hey Bob- since you went to all this trouble, why didnt you register it for two years like me???? You would have saved around $10 bucks on denatured alcohol.

Spiderferg · Post by **Spiderferg** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 5:38 pm

hey Bob- since you went to all this trouble, why didnt you register it for two years like me???? You would have saved around $10 bucks on denatured alcohol.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 10:51 pm

Bob, I think your send finger has the studders....
Your emails have the same problem...
Anyway, I wish I could register every two years...I wasn't lucky enough to find the loop hole like you did. And Mark, I guess moving to CA won't solve my problem either. I'm stuck with the yearly emissions test...forever.

Interesting thing about that gas/alcohol mix. I didn't want to leave it sit in my tank for long. I siphened off four of the five gallons in the tank. Pumped it into my 5 gallon red plastic gas can (jug). Plenty of gas to keep my lawn mower fed for a year. I came out the next day to mow the lawn and most of the gas was gone. Only about a half gallon was left. The plastic was crackled and the gas all ran out. Good thing I keep the jug outside. I guess the plastic didn't like the 20% alcohol. Another

Smog failure

Passed emissions...some gymnastics required