73 LS4 smog install pics

[William M.]

Well some former owner yanked the A.I.R. system off my big block and tossed it, not realizing how much it would cost me to put it back together years later in the middle of a recession. But it's only money, and my baby's so original it deserved to be choked once again by a correct smog system.
I consulted Kevin Mackay of Corvette Repair and he told me the man for smog is Bill Hodel. Sure enough, Bill was a pleasure to deal with. He knows all the part #'s off the top of his head. He sent me the complete kit, including proper hoses and dated clamps. He packs his stuff so well it took me a solid half hour just to unwrap my new toys.
Original pump is part # 7801149 ...

X3031S
X = assembly line
030 = Julian date (January 30)
3 = 1973
1 = shift
S = Saginaw, Michigan plant

Manifold pipes on the bench at Corvette Repair ...

Exhaust manifold plugs are removed and pipes are ready to go on ...

Test fitting the A.I.R. pump ...

It's starting to look like 1973 all over again ...

O.K., Bill, you can smile now, I'm done taking pictures ...

Just kidding, all the guys at Corvette Repair are always very accomodating when I show up with my annoying camera

[George C.]

Re: 73 LS4 smog install pics

Hi Bill, Looks Great. Smog legal again. Thanks for the pic's. Save the Wave.>George

[William M.]

Re: 73 LS4 smog install pics

Hi Bill, Looks Great. Smog legal again. Thanks for the pic's. Save the Wave.>George

Thanks. In New York, cars 25 years and older are exempt from emissions inspections. So the smog "legal" part doesn't matter, except to the NCRS judges

[William M.]

Re: 73 LS4 smog install pics

Here's the finished product:




Thanks to Bill Hodel for supplying the parts and Corvette Repair for installing them

[Robert R.]

Re: 73 LS4 smog install pics

Bill,
Very nice. Your engine compartment looks like a brand new '73.
If it is a functioning system, have you noticed any change in power?
Bob

[William M.]

Re: 73 LS4 smog install pics

Bill,
Very nice. Your engine compartment looks like a brand new '73.
If it is a functioning system, have you noticed any change in power?
Bob

Thanks. I went with a non-functioning system. Doesn't feel any different than before.

[Peter G.]

Re: 73 LS4 smog install pics

William..

Looks like your smog hoses have white lettering and the correct GM part # on them? Is that the way they came from Corvette Repair?

When I did my smog system re-install and installation, I got my hoses from Paragon, but they are plain with no white lettering? I did not think you could find hoses with the correct lettering and numbers?

Do you have the phone number of Corvette Repair?

Nice job. After searching for three years I finally found all my needed smog system parts.

I am not totally happy with replacing my smog system as now the engine compartment is SO crowded that I don't think I can do much engine work on it now myself. Like changing spark plugs. It did sure help with the NCRS judges!!

Mind if I ask what the complete system or whereabouts cost you? Just a ballpark as I am curious. I know my parts and labor was very expensive, but I still think I got a good deal on all the original parts.

Thanks.

[William M.]

Re: 73 LS4 smog install pics

William..

Looks like your smog hoses have white lettering and the correct GM part # on them? Is that the way they came from Corvette Repair?

When I did my smog system re-install and installation, I got my hoses from Paragon, but they are plain with no white lettering? I did not think you could find hoses with the correct lettering and numbers?

Do you have the phone number of Corvette Repair?

Nice job. After searching for three years I finally found all my needed smog system parts.

I am not totally happy with replacing my smog system as now the engine compartment is SO crowded that I don't think I can do much engine work on it now myself. Like changing spark plugs. It did sure help with the NCRS judges!!

Mind if I ask what the complete system or whereabouts cost you? Just a ballpark as I am curious. I know my parts and labor was very expensive, but I still think I got a good deal on all the original parts.

Thanks.

Thanks. Complete kit, including the correct hoses, came from Bill Hodel. The man knows his stuff.
I PM'ed you the info.

[Glenn B.]

Re: 73 LS4 smog install pics

Good Job! Thanks for the pic's.

[Pete O.]

Re: 73 LS4 smog install pics

I never thought back in 1973 that the day would come when I would say "that smog system looks great." I am very jealous. Looking at your engine bay makes me realize how much work I have ahead of me.

[Jack C.]

Re: 73 LS4 smog install pics

Bill, CR removed the manifold plugs without taking the manifolds off? I have the original air tubes on my 68 and would be horrified if I had to remove them for replacement. They look so brittle and surely would round off if attempted to be removed.

[Charles P.]

Re: 73 LS4 smog install pics

73 is getting on 40 years now and you are painfully correct about them rounding off. Try as you might (PB blaster, heat, prayer, expletives--although not necessarily in that order) you might be successful at getting half of them but if even one gets destroyed then you'll need to pull the manifold and have it retapped and replace the entire tube tree. I have heard of some people being sucessful welding new tubes/threads on but the metal on these is awfully thin and almost surely will lead to an exhaust leak eventually. I have taken mine off recently to eliminate a leak and am an expert on tap sizes now!

[William M.]

Re: 73 LS4 smog install pics

Bill, CR removed the manifold plugs without taking the manifolds off? I have the original air tubes on my 68 and would be horrified if I had to remove them for replacement. They look so brittle and surely would round off if attempted to be removed.

I thought they'd have to take the manifolds off as well. These guys know what they're doing and it saved a lot of labor $!

[Peter G.]

Re: 73 LS4 smog install pics

The guy that installed my smog system did not take off the exhaust manifolds either even though he told me that it would be nesscessary if the plugs did indeed round off. I believe he did soak them with some kind of professional fluid for a couple days prior to attempting to remove the plugs.

As long as you use the right tool and soak them prior and not be in a hurry, the plugs should come out.

[Wayne B.]

Re: 73 LS4 smog install pics

Thanks. In New York, cars 25 years and older are exempt from emissions inspections. So the smog "legal" part doesn't matter, except to the NCRS judges

Legal smegal, it's the NCRS judges that wield the REAL power!