78 spider Smog/Air pump belt

[Zoofly]

I have a 1978 spider that had the belt removed from the smog/air pump years ago because of the squeaking it made. I've got the car running and will need to get it California smog in a few months. I went on a few fiat parts sites and found the belts but it only goes from 1974 to 1977. Is the 1978 different from those earlier years? I can't seem to find any other belts for 1978 specifically.

[kilrwail]

From distant memory I think it's the same as the alternator belt. I'm sure you have a spare one (right?!) so use it to test fit.

[Zoofly]

It looks like the belt would be much much shorter for the smog pump than the alternator. Maybe six inches away. The alternator shares the same pulley as the smog pump with the smog pump groove on the inside and the alternator groove on the outside (closer to the radiator.) Wish I could figure out how to post pictures on here.

[wagonmaster74]

Gates belt part number: 7280

Sometimes working at a parts store comes in handy.

[MattVAS]

WHOA!!!!
You do NOT actually need the air pump nor the belt. Remember there are always backdoors to get out of silly issues. That system is soooo draining on the engine that we've emissions tested with and without and the cars did better without.

Here is information from your state helping you not have a crummy air pump.
This is from the www.bar.ca.gov website about non original parts. "What about missing parts? A Limited Parts Exemption may be issued if an emission control part was not available at the time of inspection. Although a limited parts exemption may be issued on a change-of-ownership smog inspection, the vehicle must pass all other aspects of the Smog Check. Applicants for a limited parts exemption must utilize BAR's Parts Locator Service and Referee Centers." More websites and phone numbers for parts locator or referee centers www.asktheref.org or 1-800-622-7733.*

I've sent that to countless customers, which is funny that I found it and I'm not in California, and not one has been stopped. Many have reported back that this got them through without any hassle.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Matt, this is good to know, and it's hard to argue with your customers that have had success with this. There do seem to be some nuances with the Limited Parts Exemption, as it appears to apply to change of ownership issues or when you're registering an "out-of-state" vehicle in CA that never had certain emission components when new. In a nutshell, you call the referee center and request an exemption, they point you to a list of suppliers that might have the missing or defective part, and if you simply can't buy the part anymore, they mail you an exemption letter that you take to a referee center. If the vehicle passes all other aspects of the smog check at the referee center, you're good.

In casual talks with the smog technicians that have checked my various vehicles over the years, they have always indicated that they immediately fail vehicles with missing or altered smog equipment, or if the "Check Engine" light is on. Note that the visual check for the presence of the specified smog components does not include verifying that they work as intended, rather just that the equipment is there with all the hoses attached as they should be. And of course actual tailpipe emission levels have to be below the maximum.

So, as with many things automotive in California, it's complicated. The process also seems to depend on which county the vehicle is registered in. With 1976 or newer Fiats that have missing smog equipment in CA, it's certainly worth looking into this exemption process.

-Bryan