I just installed a 88 7.3 with a Banks turbo and ZF 5 speed in my 79 f250 supercab 4x4 and went to the DMV to transfer and register the truck and was told I had to go to the referee ,,, went there and was not only told I had to have a carb stamp for the banks kit but also told that I will probably not be givin a cert for this because it is illegal to put a 7.3 in a vehicle with a gvwr lighter than 8501 lbs!!! Anyone have any ideas ? The law goes by wording and the ca web site says " A DIESEL POWERED VEHICLE PRE 97 or over 14000 gvw" is smog exempt!!! It doesn't say a " OEM " diesel powered vehicle!!

 

If anyone is interested the California Air Resources Board has determined today that my 79 F250 super cab was in 1979 sanctioned as a medium/heavy duty truck and have agreed to exempt my truck from emisions laws,,,

 

I am surprised by the out come but, congratulations.

 

I know this is an old thread, but for future info...I talked to a California smog ref 2wks ago about putting a 6.9 idi in a 1985 Chevy 3/4t... I was told that I could do the swap NO PROBLEM....Dont even need documentation because of the year of the VEHICLE....NOT the year of the engine. As long as it was a certifiable(not industrial) engine, I would get an exemption sticker for it.

 

That reff was feeding you a line of crap ,,

 

Honestly, I have talked to two different refs in different counties and got the same info.

 

Were they state refs or people in the call enter because I just now came from the redding reff center and got my exempt status ,, I showed him your post and he laughed!! He says you are getting bad info.

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Keep in mind there are only 28 refs in the state of California and the computer tells them if it can be exempt or this guy Dan in sac can override the computer as in my case

 

They were actual refs.....showing this to another ref might be bad for others,so hopefully you dont ruin it for others. They are just like cops, some are a bit more lax than others,then you have the real hard asses....that do not have a problem screwing things up for other people just to be jerks.

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As for your GVW, mine was 9000lbs I do believe. I wanted to put a diesel in place of the 454....I was told as long as it was a CERTIFIABLE diesel engine-NOT industrial, I could do the swap. They would check the engine type,and then exempt it because they do not smog or inspect any diesel prior to '98.
Your issue seemed to start off with the Banks system. If you went in N/A and got your exemption, you may not have had the problem to begin with.
Another thing about your GVW is that from the factory if it was CERTIFIED as med/heavy duty emissions you would be good to go,did you have the original emissions label on your truck?
Another option would be to use a pre'75 vehicle, then the state cannot say anything about what you do.
My suggestion would be since you got your exemption, STOP showing others info to this guy or it could screw others!
I know what I was told by 2 different refs and it was the same info. Sorry your ref wanted to play hard ball with you.

 

U yea my banks kit had nothing to do with it,, it's a carb certified kit ,, it's all about gvw,, just make sure your gvwr is over 8500

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Another thing Is yes you will have to get it inspected as a diesel conversion and it will have to have the stuff the truck you took the engine out of on It like a wait to start light , all factory glow plug timer and relay system ,, exhaust

 

I also called twice about my 88 Grand Wagoneer...was told that I could do the 6.2 GM diesel no problem as it was offered in 1/2 ton trucks, blazers, and suburbans. Got the same info as I posted earlier. Im glad you got your exemption. I do know of people in your neck of the woods that also had a hard time with DMV and the ref. Maybe things are different where I am located?????