77 Cobra emission testing ??

#1 (**permalink**) 05-09-2006, 05:27 PM

I live in Queens, NY and am interested in purchasing a cobra titled as a '77. Can sombody tell me
if I would need the emission tested when doing a
inspection or is the car excempt?
I had older cars, '68 and '70 and they were excempt from emission
testing.
thanks a lot for the help

JCoop · #2 (**permalink**) 05-10-2006, 04:25 AM

Welcome!

The general rule of thumb is: 25 years or older, the car simply gets a NYS safety inspection (emission exempt).

mj_duell · #3 (**permalink**) 05-10-2006, 04:30 AM

What year is the engine block casting? This will effect emission equipment. You should be fine as far as the emission testing because of the title year.

--Mike / Turn Ten Racing, Inc.

Nickpz1 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-10-2006, 07:33 AM

Does the car have a VIN number? NYS may not accept the manufacturers numbers and require you to fill out form, MV-272.1 and get a state run Vehicle Examination (they look for stolen parts and equipment compliance).
You can call DMV Technical Services at 518 474-5282 they are very helpful. Also go onto www.nysdmv.com for other forms and info. (form MV-272.1 not on web site)

#5 (**permalink**) 05-10-2006, 07:42 PM

Thanks everybody for the information. The engine is a '77 351, so that is why it is titeled as a 77, according to the owner. Emission excempt is good news. I will definitely "join the club" once I made the purchase.
thanks

Nickpz1 · #6 (**permalink**) 06-24-2006, 12:13 PM

I recently call the NYS DMV Technical Services – and asked about inspection requirements, my engine is rebuilt with after market parts, heads, cam, carb., et al, I was told that this would negate my engine block 1987 date and would change the emission requirements so that I would not need cats, canisters or air pump, just a CVS valve.
Has anyone else had experience with this?
Nick

JCoop · #7 (**permalink**) 06-27-2006, 05:14 AM

Nick, is your car curently registered as an '87? If you're going through the "homebuilt vehicle registration" process, describe the motor as a 1975 replacement motor (I think that's when the 302 came out) and the new registration will be coded emission-exempt when you go for a safety inspection.

Check out the process described in the thread:
NY Registration Advice

Nickpz1 · #8 (**permalink**) 06-27-2006, 11:40 AM

Ray,
The car was just finished so its never been registered. I just sent the paperwork in for a VIN # and holding my breath for an inspection date. I've gone through the thread and read about your exploits and talked with the MV tech group who have been very helpful. I might call them to follow up on my paperwork. Thanks for the info.
Nick

JCoop · #9 (**permalink**) 06-27-2006, 05:17 PM

Nick, it will be a breeze. The gals at the inspection site are actually nice to the Cobra owners. Don't forget to remove the visors and have the 4-way flashers and reverse lights. You have to trailer the car over too.
When you get the form for DOT SAE numbers from tech services, let me know before you fill it out.

Nickpz1 · #10 (**permalink**) 06-30-2006, 06:30 AM

Thanks Ray will do.
The sun visors are a no-no? I knew about the wind wings because the "side glass" needs an "AS" number for safety glass. Is it because of the padding rule?
Also, what is the address of the state run inspection station?
Thanks again,
Nick

JCoop · #11 (**permalink**) 06-30-2006, 03:04 PM

Nick, the wind wings are OK but to use visors in NY, they have to be padded. So does the dashboard but ours are "lightly" padded so that stays.

Nickpz1 · #12 (**permalink**) 07-01-2006, 08:15 AM

Sounds good! I'll keep you posted.
Thanks again.
Nick

Nickpz1 · #13 (**permalink**) 07-13-2006, 04:35 PM

A new twist from NYSMV – in trying to get my car a VIN # I sent all the info to Albany, after a few weeks I called to find out where my paperwork was. I was told that the car I built has legal problems – because I did not buy my FFR kit-car from a dealer but purchased it from an individual who started it then stopped, the nice lady from Field Investigation told me that because the seller is not a dealer the car should not have been sold without it being registered by the original owner. Yes I told her I bought it as a kit in lots of boxes – she said that’s the law.
With all this said she told me that she just went through this with someone else and that she will dig for me and call me in a day or so to find out what can be done, if anything…

Part 2 – this is a good one – a new law was passed as of Jan. 2006 in NYS you (an individual) are allowed to build only one kit car per lifetime and cannot sell it for at least 5 years, unless you are a registered dealer.
How is that for keeping the paperwork down in Albany? I looked on the web for confirmation of the law with no luck. Lots of fun!
Our tax dollars at work.

JCoop · #14 (**permalink**) 07-13-2006, 05:51 PM

This is insane.

I don't understand the logic behind this recent development. Quite frankly, I don't think this "lady" knows what the heck she's talking about. Isn't this process for registering a "homebuilt" or special construction vehicle? Isn't that one that is built from procured or hand-crafted parts? Their job (field investigation) is simply to ensure that none of the parts used in the assembly are stolen, the job of ensuring compliance with safety and highway laws is the job of the Technical Services Bureau office. Maybe you can also ask for the bill# of this supposed new law so we can get a transcript of it.

Sorry to hear about this Nick, you have PM for some contact info...

See, this is why I was campaigning for an organized club. If we had representation and alliance with other Cobra clubs, maybe we wouldn't get dicked around like this... Ok I'm stepping off the soapbox now.