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Do I Need California Smog Devices on a Federal 1979 Chevy El Camino?

1979 Chevy El Camino, Royal Knight, 305cid, 4brl carburetor, 4spd. Do I need California smog devices on a federal emissions vehicle? My El Camino has been non-op since 1995. I purchased it in 1987. I just had the motor rebuilt. Regarding the smog requirements. The build sheet says Federal Emissions. How do I smog this vehicle? Do I have to put the California smog devices on for it to pass the smog test? And if not how do I get proof of Federal Emissions. Do I have to take it to a Referee? Will a smog station fail me and tell me it's missing a smog pump and the air injection plumbing. Because when I bought it in 1987 it had none of that stuff. Thanks.
Answer:

A regular smog check station can inspect and certify your Chevy El Camino so long as you can prove the federal engine emission configuration, through documentation, emission decal, or VIN cross-reference. Short of these proofs, the smog check referees office will be your best best. Here's something very important we found regarding the 1979 Chevy El Camino with a 305 engine. The federal emissions engine has two different emissions configurations depending on whether the engine was built for high altitude or not. The emission sticker (from factory) would have indicated it as being high altitude or not. If the engine was designed for high altitude, the air injection system will be required, as it should have been original equipped with AIR. Non-high altitude engine did not come with the air injection system (smog pump), and one was not required. Furthermore, the high altitude AIR injection configuration only applies to El Caminos which came standard with an automatic transmission. Manual transmission El Caminos were not required to have an air injection system. posted by SmogTips Support

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