Zoiks! I'm the cause of global warming!

[Rupert]

 I just took the B in to get the emissions done, and it failed with aplomb. It didn't pass anything, in fact. Here are the numbers, test/standard:

2500 rpm:
CO% 9.04/5
HC ppm 1138/900

Idle (900-950 rpm):
CO% 9.27/5
HC ppm 9943/900


How much of a pain in the ass am I looking at, here? I just tuned it up (oil, valves, ignition and timing, carbs). What should I be checking? I might try to find a mechanic who knows these cars to do this for me. I have no experience with emissions stuff, and this was my first time dealing with most of the old-style stuff (points, carbs, etc.).

[Eye of the Tiger]

Hydrocarbons, eh? Probably runnign rich. How does the inside of the tailpipe look? Is it coated in soot?

[Laconian]

I dub your car "The Dirty Bomb." You are hereby exiled from Bellingham for life.

[MX793]

I didn't think a car that old would have to pass an emissions test.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I didn't think a car that old would have to pass an emissions test.

No kidding. What year is it? It might not even legally have to have a cat if it's old enough.

[Rupert]

It's a '72, and it's not exempt. 

[Rupert]

I dub your car "The Dirty Bomb." You are hereby exiled from Bellingham for life.

It would never make it all the way to the Ham, anyway.

[Soup DeVille]

It's a '72, and it's not exempt. 

What kind of carb is this?

The first thing I would attack would be the idle mixture screws.

Does the engine have a smog pump?

[Rupert]

Hydrocarbons, eh? Probably runnign rich. How does the inside of the tailpipe look? Is it coated in soot?

Yeah. It's not oily, though it's not completely dry, either.

[Rupert]

What kind of carb is this?

The first thing I would attack would be the idle mixture screws.

Does the engine have a smog pump?

Twin SU HIF 4s. I just set the mixture last weekend. It was actually running a bit lean on the front carb, unless the carb was high at the time.

[Soup DeVille]

Twin SU HIF 4s. I just set the mixture last weekend. It was actually running a bit lean on the front carb, unless the carb was high at the time.

I don't know enough about those to say anyting intelligent.

[Rupert]

Haha, neither do I.

[Soup DeVille]

Haha, neither do I.

Does it have a smog pump though?

[Rupert]

I have no idea. I think so. So I guess I have some idea...

A guy on the MG Experience forum suggested I clean out the smog rail, whatever that is.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I have no idea. I think so. So I guess I have some idea...

A guy on the MG Experience forum suggested I clean out the smog rail, whatever that is.

Smog rail is that... secondary air injection, just pumps fresh air into the exhaust to help burn up those extra HC's.

Did you already do the whole ignition system tune up thing?

[Soup DeVille]

I have no idea. I think so. So I guess I have some idea...

A guy on the MG Experience forum suggested I clean out the smog rail, whatever that is.

Yeah, if you have a smog rail in the intake, you have a smog pump to pump extra air into it. These sucked a lot of power, and a lot of them have been removed or bypassed.

[Rupert]

Smog rail is that... secondary air injection, just pumps fresh air into the exhaust to help burn up those extra HC's.

Did you already do the whole ignition system tune up thing?

Ah. How do I find such a thing?

Yeah, I did the ignition, valves, carbs, etc.

[S204STi]

It may be a belt driven pump with plumbing that leads to the exhaust manifold. You may need to remove the tubing and inspect it for blockages.

[Secret Chimp]

It's a '72, and it's not exempt. 

lol wut, our 1976 Mercury was exempt six years ago.

[VTEC_Inside]

The uber high HC suggests an ignition issue to me. Anyone make an electronic ignition conversion kit for the car?

[VTEC_Inside]

Oh and, they changed the damn rules here too, I thought I was done testing my '89 Accord since its now 20yrs old, but now they only exempt '87 and older.

I KNOW something changed as far as emissions regs come '88 because my '89 has a lot more emissions crap on it than an '87. I was really hoping to get rid of some of the shit.

[GoCougs]

Doesn't it feel good?

[S204STi]

Like Vtec mentioned, there are retrofits for your car for improved ignition system performance.

[Rupert]

It turns out I don't have an air pump, etc. anymore. Oh well.

At some point, I'll buy a rebuilt distributor with the Pertronix kit. Mine is fairly worn. There's a guy that will custom-curve distributors with electronic ignition, etc. for under $400. Of course, at that point, I should probably have the carbs re-built. And then, I might as well rebuild the engine. And then, I might as well rebuilt the whole car!

I think I'm going to try replacing the plugs, which are new, but the number 2 is already fouled (o_0), retarding the timing, and leaning the mixture. I'll re-set stuff after it passes.

If that doesn't work, I can always bribe the kid. Speaking of that guy, he thought the cable on the heater valve was the throttle. The heater valve is on the opposite side of the engine from the carbs.

[Rupert]

lol wut, our 1976 Mercury was exempt six years ago.

I know, I know. Idaho is a silly place.

http://www.dmv.org/id-idaho/smog-check.php#Exempt_Vehicles

[Eye of the Tiger]

I know, I know. Idaho is a silly place.

Are you SURE your car is subject to the emissions standards? It is completely ridiculous.

[Rupert]

Doesn't it feel good?

No.

[Soup DeVille]

I know, I know. Idaho is a silly place.

http://www.dmv.org/id-idaho/smog-check.php#Exempt_Vehicles

I see. Just tell them it runs on propane then.

[Rupert]

Are you SURE your car is subject to the emissions standards? It is completely ridiculous.

Yes, and yes. See the above link. If I had a '63 MG, it would be exempt, but nothing newer.

[Rupert]

I see. Just tell them it runs on propane then.

I'll add some ethanol and say it's an ethanol fueled vehicle.