Smog

[COPO PETE]

What's the correct answer? In 1970,I believe all solid lifter cars got smog. Automatic and 4 speed. Now in 1969, what's the deal. Some say 4 speed only solid lifter cars got smog and not automatic cars. If so, did the automatic cars get exhaust manifolds with plugs or were they cast without plug holes?
Peter

[COPO]

Here's a quote from page 131 of "The Definitive 1969 Camaro Fact Book" by Jerry MacNeish.

"All 1969 big block Camaros were equipped with an Air Injection Reactor (AIR) system. The AIR pump casting number is 7801149. This is a white fan (where's Charley) pump which was equipped on all 396-427 Camaros in 1969. Like the small block models in '69, BB smog pumps were located to the right of the engine below the alternator. Many enthuisasts have suggested that smog equipment was not installed on automatic transmission BB cars. This is incorrect! The only known BB car that did not have a smog system was the 396-325 hp Chevelle w/turbo 400 transmission."

[Chevy454]

While we are on the subject, I was reading on the Buick board that while Chevy & Ford got smog pupms in the '60s, Chrysler products didn't get them until later in the '70s. Is this correct? If so, why?

[MrMotion]

Did the "Export" cars that came to Canada have smog equipment?

[COPO PETE]

My 69 427 Chevelle came with smog (4 speed) and my '70 LT-1 Nova had smog. Not sure about automatic 69 COPO Camaro's though. Still get conflicting reports on that!
Peter

[Keith Tedford]

Our car, like COPO Pete's, had the full smog pump setup, #68 primary jets, and retarded timing to meet emissions. Some cars, like our '72 400 Lemans Sport, could meet emissions without the AIR pump. I heard rumours at one time the the automatic COPO cars got a hydraulic cam and were rated 410hp. Anyone know anything about this?

[Chevy454]

Yenko offered a 410hp 427 in '67(?) that was hydraulic cammed...maybe that is where the rumor started?

[Steven J]

I bought a '69 L78 Camaro/auto, in 1970, and it had a smog pump.

[bkhpah]

A local man who bought a 67' Yenko Camaro with the 410 HP automatic set up had his car equipped with Thorley headers from new. He has shown me the original paperwork for the car. But once again this was a Canonsburg sold car and more often than not you see extras sold on those cars. I cannot tell you anything much about the SPAN sold cars. He did tell me that the time of the first PA inspection the local garage would not inspect the car because of the headers. He took the car back to Yenko and had manifolds reinstalled. Back in the old days PA had twice a year auto inspection...BKH

[Keith Tedford]

Is there any chance that the '67 410 hp engines were based on the 390hp 427?

[MrMotion]

Is 1969 the first year for mandatory smog equipment? Were pre-1969 export models exempt from smog equipment?

[Ray Morrison]

The 68 Gibb automatic COPO Nova's came with the smog pump. If you happen to have the Nov. 1968 issue of PHR, there is a picture of one in the article about the 396-427 Nova's Harrell prepared.

Ray

[68l30]

I'm looking for info on a 70 L-78 Nova auto trans.I will be looking for correct exhaust manifolds for this car and need to know, smog or no smog.The car now has no signs of a smog system but was a street freak in New York in the early 70's and everything not ment for performance hit the trash.The car has 20k on it and had the original paint and a lace overlay till recently .The headers are next to go.Thoughts??????

Steve

[William]

Several car magazines tested Hi-perf bb/auto cars in 1969. Hot Rod did an L78 Nova, PHR a L89 Camaro (last seen on ebay), Super Stock the #5 ZL1. All these had AIR.

PHR also did a L34/auto Nova, no AIR.

[COPO PETE]

William: Not really familiar with all those articles. What month of Super Stock magazine is that? The only one I know of is May 69...that car had headers installed, so no smog on it at the time. That article had great engine bay photo's. Really showed the paint change colour on the firewall well!
Peter

[JoeC]

I have not seen any original pictures of a 1969 or 70 L78 or L72 that did not have the A.I.R. system on it. Some lower HP 396 engines did not have A.I.R. and some lower HP engines got the TCS system instead of A.I.R. I would think that the carb and distributor part numbers would be different for a car with or without A.I.R. The slightest engine calibration change required a different part number for carb and distributor. For example some cars with same engine but with auto or manual trans has different part no. carb and distributor. Also the fan belt will be different part number for A.I.R. or non A.I.R. and I cannot find part numbers for a 69 L78 or L72 without A.I.R. There is usually a paper trail in the part numbers.

[CamarosRus]

Everybody, In all this discussion about SMOG, may I please remind that I am searching for "Original" system or any parts (hoses,clamps,valves,etc) for 1970 L-78/LS-6 (same).......yes, I know about Greenhoe & Hoedel.....Thanks, Chuck

[Keith Tedford]

Car Craft September '68 drag tested an L78 4 speed Chevy II. The engine photo clearly shows the AIR pump set high on the passenger side. The car ran 12.85 @110mph after adding headers, 4:56 gears, slicks, fuel pump, and tuning. Not too shabby. I believe that the cars that came without AIR pumps got exhaust manifolds not machined for AIR fittings.

[William]

COPO Pete:

Right article, wrong magazine.

PHR (July '69) covered the same test as the May '69 Super Stock. The PHR story also includes an engine photo of what is believed to be the #5 ZL1. The photo shows headers, trans cooling lines and diverter valve. They left the AIR pump on the car after the header installation.