Where is the 40 year sticking point? I am pretty sure it is federal law that any car made with emissions equipment must have it on. Any vehicle without, is exempt.

 

I was referring to the point in time when they first required the equipment to be installed.
The reality is that unless replaced new or significantly rebuilt that equipment now makes vehicles run poorly - counterproductive to the original mandate.
In locations where there is no mandate for emissions testing they are likely polluting more and/or consuming more fossil fuels
It would make better sense, given how few of those vehicles are still on the road (compared to their original number), to declare them exempt from equipment maintenance.
Ooops! Did I expect good sense from government bureaucrats on a self-perpetuating mission?
Maybe that will get fixed some, at least at the EPA ... one may hope.
Meanwhile, my search for a 83-86 f150 extended bed continues ...

 

I feel ya, but I think you would be fine with removing the emissions gear. No testing anyways. If you want peace of mind from the cops who probably wont bat an eye as long as the truck isnt obnoxiously loud, hollow your catalytic converter out so it is just more hollow pipe but still is in place.

 

Tell you what at my shop I have an Emissions Equipment book by Mitchell that I just updated so it's the 2017 edition. It's a reference book that lists all emissions devices vehicles came with back to the 70's. I'll look up 83 to 86 F150 for you tomorrow.

 

Attachment 462363

 

 

V6 is 300 ci/ 4.9l. V8 302 ci/5.0l
Very minor difference in size weight. I would rather the 5.0 for the availability of parts, lack of real difference in gas milage and there still very simple motors. If your dead set on the 4.9l the do a swap but honestly if you have a good 302 why go backwards?

 

I'm not sure why this is coming up ...

 

Thanks!

 

I posted the photo on garage talk and F150 Forum app. This was just to give you an idea of what info it has. Light duty(<8500 gvwr) had cat Convertor starting in 77 and heavy duty (>8500gvwr) started in 87. I think the key to what you are really after, is when they still had a carburetor and no O2 sensor. As you can see 83 was about 50/50. An O2 would mean some type of computer control, even if it's a very simple circuit board.

Let me know if you some specific vehicle info. Best of Luck on you search.