anti-pollution when did it start

Even here in the deserts of Texas, the smog law enforcement is tightening up. They are getting to be sticklers about dates of manufacture on engine swaps etc. While trying to get my '84 pickup with a swapped in '73 440 inspected, I asked the inspector what the the deal was with all the inspection stations being so tough lately. I'd driven the truck for a few years with no problems.

He said he'd just paid a $500 fine for putting a sticker on a '23 T bucket that had an '88 350 Chevy block in it. It didn't have all the pertinent '88 emissions controls installed, hence it would not legally pass. It was legally registered as a '23 Ford, but the law says the emissions package must be of whichever is the latest model year, vehicle or engine.

So, if they wanted to be assholes about it, if I dropped a late 5.7 Hemi in a '55 Plymouth Savoy, I'd have to have the entire emissions package, OBDII, the works. I went through this scenario with my pickup. As we all know, NO factory 440 ever had converters, but since it's sitting in an '84, now it's required. They also busted my chops about the open element air cleaner, lack of charcoal cannister, and the friggin' gas cap's inability to seal.

I parked the truck in back in '07 rather than try to continue and comply with all the silly assed rules, sold the 440 to my nephew who stuck it in his off road only Ramcharger. So, to Dodge the law in Texas anyway, {pun intended} I'd build a pre '68 car/truck, with a pre '68 engine, and leave the inspection station with my foot on the floor, a smile on my face, and a finger out the window.