1977 C-3 Ca. smog issues.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: CAMARILLO CA
1977 C-3 Ca. smog issues.
What research I’ve done tells me my car was born with an L-82 or L-48 power plant. With the L-48 being the preferred engine in the regards to the Ca. emissions that I am currently facing. The original engine was replaced with a GM crate motor. How do I go about finding what original smog equipment my car was equipped with?
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 20
From: Central Michigan
What research I’ve done tells me my car was born with an L-82 or L-48 power plant. With the L-48 being the preferred engine in the regards to the Ca. emissions that I am currently facing. The original engine was replaced with a GM crate motor. How do I go about finding what original smog equipment my car was equipped with?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 6
From: www.Z16.org North/West Pennsylvania
Go here, http://www.gmheritagecenter.com/gm-h...tion-kits.html, select Corvette 1977 then go to page 40, then save link in favorite places. 
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,500
Likes: 312
From: Scottsdale AZ
Go here, http://www.gmheritagecenter.com/gm-h...tion-kits.html, select Corvette 1977 then go to page 40, then save link in favorite places.
Many thanks !
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Being those were the only two engines available, I think you're right. Your VIN will have info as to which engine your car had when born. The fifth character will be L for L48 and X for L82.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: CAMARILLO CA
Good morning Randy,
If I remember correctly you and I discussed the smog issues I would be having about now when we were in Solvang last year. The only Vette shop in the area is A&A, when it comes to the new stuff they really know their chit however when asked about the C-3 machines, they would prefer not to play. I hope all is well and looking forward to seeing the Northern crowd again soon.
Garage ghost, thanks for the link, I’ll give it a look and I appreciate your help.
If I remember correctly you and I discussed the smog issues I would be having about now when we were in Solvang last year. The only Vette shop in the area is A&A, when it comes to the new stuff they really know their chit however when asked about the C-3 machines, they would prefer not to play. I hope all is well and looking forward to seeing the Northern crowd again soon.
Garage ghost, thanks for the link, I’ll give it a look and I appreciate your help.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: CAMARILLO CA
So I’m off to a good start, my fifth character is an L for L48. Mike, Thank you for the info.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: CAMARILLO CA
Ok, so after doing some reading and not finding the correct answer. What defines the difference between a federal car and a California car and where on the vehicle might I find a number that would indicate this?
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,062
Likes: 602
From: Henderson Nv-Rohnert Park/Sonoma C o. ca/born in NY Rockaway Beach.
I have a fed car 77 and the only thing that wasnt on the car was the smog pump, it had everything else...
I know I have a thread on here someplace about the fed cars...im still looking but this may help a little
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...smog-test.html
I know I have a thread on here someplace about the fed cars...im still looking but this may help a little
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...smog-test.html
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: CAMARILLO CA
I have a fed car 77 and the only thing that wasnt on the car was the smog pump, it had everything else...
I know I have a thread on here someplace about the fed cars...im still looking but this may help a little
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...smog-test.html
I know I have a thread on here someplace about the fed cars...im still looking but this may help a little
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...smog-test.html
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
I guess you're going through these gyrations to meet CA smog requirements. Irrespective of whether the car was originally built for CA regulations or for the rest of the world, it will need to meet the CA standards now.
If you still had the original engine, there would be a three character code that would indicate which standards it was built to. The tune up sticker behind the PB booster would also make mention if it's still there.
Failing that, getting the a copy of the delivery information is possible, that would reveal the original selling dealers name.
If you still had the original engine, there would be a three character code that would indicate which standards it was built to. The tune up sticker behind the PB booster would also make mention if it's still there.
Failing that, getting the a copy of the delivery information is possible, that would reveal the original selling dealers name.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,062
Likes: 602
From: Henderson Nv-Rohnert Park/Sonoma C o. ca/born in NY Rockaway Beach.
well i guess this is going to be my issue at some point... I have a crate motor too.'
but im registered in a non smog city....
gonna cost me an arm and a leg to bring it back to smog legal...
One of these days...I sitll have my org engine, one day thats going to be my new rebuild..
Key word one of these days......for now ill just keep it registered where it is...
Good luck.....
Have you tried to contact the REF.. ?
but im registered in a non smog city....
gonna cost me an arm and a leg to bring it back to smog legal...
One of these days...I sitll have my org engine, one day thats going to be my new rebuild..
Key word one of these days......for now ill just keep it registered where it is...
Good luck.....
Have you tried to contact the REF.. ?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: CAMARILLO CA
I guess you're going through these gyrations to meet CA smog requirements. Irrespective of whether the car was originally built for CA regulations or for the rest of the world, it will need to meet the CA standards now.
If you still had the original engine, there would be a three character code that would indicate which standards it was built to. The tune up sticker behind the PB booster would also make mention if it's still there.
Failing that, getting the a copy of the delivery information is possible, that would reveal the original selling dealers name.
If you still had the original engine, there would be a three character code that would indicate which standards it was built to. The tune up sticker behind the PB booster would also make mention if it's still there.
Failing that, getting the a copy of the delivery information is possible, that would reveal the original selling dealers name.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: CAMARILLO CA
well i guess this is going to be my issue at some point... I have a crate motor too.'
but im registered in a non smog city....
gonna cost me an arm and a leg to bring it back to smog legal...
One of these days...I sitll have my org engine, one day thats going to be my new rebuild..
Key word one of these days......for now ill just keep it registered where it is...
Good luck.....
Have you tried to contact the REF.. ?
but im registered in a non smog city....
gonna cost me an arm and a leg to bring it back to smog legal...
One of these days...I sitll have my org engine, one day thats going to be my new rebuild..
Key word one of these days......for now ill just keep it registered where it is...
Good luck.....
Have you tried to contact the REF.. ?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
What research I’ve done tells me my car was born with an L-82 or L-48 power plant. With the L-48 being the preferred engine in the regards to the Ca. emissions that I am currently facing. The original engine was replaced with a GM crate motor. How do I go about finding what original smog equipment my car was equipped with?
Emission label - GM# 460128 code CB
Cat converter GM# 649393
AIR Pump - GM# 7801149
Carb - GM# 17057502 CHD (CA emissions with non a/c)
GM# 17057504 CLC (CA emissions with A/C)
It sounds like all you have left to reconcile for the correct emission configuration would be the emission sticker...assuming its as it was when shipped in 1977.
The AIR pump should be readily available. Also check your carb and determine if its the correct carb for the original motor.
Let us know what you find
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: CAMARILLO CA
An L48/M38 in 1977 was stamped with the engine suffix CHD. Let's start with emission sticker assuming we are talking L48 M38 with California emission standards.
Emission label - GM# 460128 code CB
Cat converter GM# 649393
AIR Pump - GM# 7801149
Carb - GM# 17057502 CHD (CA emissions with non a/c)
GM# 17057504 CLC (CA emissions with A/C)
It sounds like all you have left to reconcile for the correct emission configuration would be the emission sticker...assuming its as it was when shipped in 1977.
The AIR pump should be readily available. Also check your carb and determine if its the correct carb for the original motor.
Let us know what you find
Emission label - GM# 460128 code CB
Cat converter GM# 649393
AIR Pump - GM# 7801149
Carb - GM# 17057502 CHD (CA emissions with non a/c)
GM# 17057504 CLC (CA emissions with A/C)
It sounds like all you have left to reconcile for the correct emission configuration would be the emission sticker...assuming its as it was when shipped in 1977.
The AIR pump should be readily available. Also check your carb and determine if its the correct carb for the original motor.
Let us know what you find
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: CAMARILLO CA
Sorry about the delayed response however I wanted to do a little more research before posting again. So, yes my car was born federal and with an L-48, according to the emissions sticker and the local test only smog station, the car was not originally equipped with an air pump which is a major relief for me. Now my questions are, how might I go about finding what emission system my car was originally equipped with? Where might I be able locate a diagram? (yes, I have searched the forum and on line, just apparently not the correct places ). And where might I find the parts needed at reasonable price?
Thanks for any help.
Thanks for any help.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Tod
Do you have the stock intake (a lot is there like EGR), carb & exhaust manifolds (part of EFE)? Much would be same for L-82 & L-48, for example the carb L-82 just has richer 77 jets than L-48 76 jets.
Do you have the stock intake (a lot is there like EGR), carb & exhaust manifolds (part of EFE)? Much would be same for L-82 & L-48, for example the carb L-82 just has richer 77 jets than L-48 76 jets.