1967 Big Block Question

[Paul P.]

About the engine bay of this '67 big block: The "Y" like hoses and attachments are not on any of the other engines I've seen - not that I've looked at a huge number of them. There appears to be a air pump just north of the thermostat housing. Was this maybe part of California requirements of the day or could they be otherwise sourced? Would it have been a factory installation or something forced on owners after they were purchased? Is this a case of an owner keeping it all correct and original? Doing some research for my web site and I want to keep everything accurate.

Thanks!!

[Joe L.]

Re: 1967 Big Block Question

About the engine bay of this '67 big block: The "Y" like hoses and attachments are not on any of the other engines I've seen - not that I've looked at a huge number of them. There appears to be a air pump just north of the thermostat housing. Was this maybe part of California requirements of the day or could they be otherwise sourced? Would it have been a factory installation or something forced on owners after they were purchased? Is this a case of an owner keeping it all correct and original? Doing some research for my web site and I want to keep everything accurate.

Thanks!!

Paul------


This is the K-19 air injection reactor system which was required for all 1967 Corvettes originally delivered to California. From what I can see of it, the system appears as it should for a factory installation. Of course, it could have been re-installed as part of a restoration, but it's a factory system.

Except for cases in which an original system had been removed, I know of no case in which California would have required the retro-fit of such a system to a car not originally so-equipped.

If the car was originally equipped as I expect it was, the engine suffix code should be "JA", "JF", or "JG". If the engine has one of these suffix codes, then it was definitely originally equipped with K-19. If it does not have one of these codes, then it was not originally equipped with K-19.

[Paul P.]

Re: 1967 Big Block Question

Joe:

Interesting. I had heard of CA car owners being required to retrofit smog gear of questionable usefulness, a conversation with a VW owner comes to mind. In looking at the Black Book I see 2,573 or 11.2% were so equipped at a cost of $44.75.

I guess we have to give the owner / restorer credit for keeping their car accurate even though current (to my knowledge) CA laws do not require that the K19 equipment be present. My guess is that the added gear increases complexity and decreases performance.

Thank you for your excellent response, it is appreciated.


~paul

Paul------


This is the K-19 air injection reactor system which was required for all 1967 Corvettes originally delivered to California. From what I can see of it, the system appears as it should for a factory installation. Of course, it could have been re-installed as part of a restoration, but it's a factory system.

Except for cases in which an original system had been removed, I know of no case in which California would have required the retro-fit of such a system to a car not originally so-equipped.

If the car was originally equipped as I expect it was, the engine suffix code should be "JA", "JF", or "JG". If the engine has one of these suffix codes, then it was definitely originally equipped with K-19. If it does not have one of these codes, then it was not originally equipped with K-19.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1967 Big Block Question

Joe:

Interesting. I had heard of CA car owners being required to retrofit smog gear of questionable usefulness, a conversation with a VW owner comes to mind. In looking at the Black Book I see 2,573 or 11.2% were so equipped at a cost of $44.75.

I guess we have to give the owner / restorer credit for keeping their car accurate even though current (to my knowledge) CA laws do not require that the K19 equipment be present. My guess is that the added gear increases complexity and decreases performance.

Thank you for your excellent response, it is appreciated.


~paul

Paul------

For a relatively short time, California required the retrofit of an oxides of nitrogen (NOX) emissions control device to certain vehicles at change-of-ownership only. This device was, basically, a timing retard device. Most of the devices were manufactured by Echlin Automotive Products and became known as the "Echlin Device" regardless of who actually manufactured any particular one. At no time did California ever require the retrofit of an air injection reactor system to any vehicle not originally so-equipped or which they deemed to have been originally so-equipped. As I mentioned, the engine suffix code of your car will confirm if the vehicle was originally equipped with K-19. Of course, this assumes that the car still has its original engine. Otherwise, the only way to tell is from the tank sticker or protect-o-plate. If the original selling dealer is known and that dealer is in California, it can be reasonably assumed that the car was originally equipped with K-19.

If a car was originally equipped with AIR (i.e. K-19 for 1966-67) California (and Federal) Law definitely does require that it be installed and operational on the car. California does exempt 1975 and older model cars from the biennial emissions inspection requirement and some folks mistakenly believe this exempts the cars from emissions control systems requirements. That is absolutely a mistaken belief. If, for example, a car is identified by a roadside emissions detector as a potential "gross polluter", that car, regardless of year model, can be called in for an emissions inspection. If the inspection reveals missing, disfunctional or tampered emissions control systems it will be held in violation and, in certain cases, could be impounded.

In addition, federal law prohibits the removal or disablement of any emissions control device or system which was originally installed on any car. The chance of being caught, of course, is very low but the penalties involved if one is caught are very high.

11.2% of 1967 Corvettes sounds just about right to me as the probable percentage of 1967 Corvettes sold in California. California is a large state and Corvettes have always been quite popular. As far as I know and according to GM K-19 was only available on cars shipped to California. It's not beyond the realm of possibility that a few were supplied on cars sold in other states, though.

[Rich G.]

Re: 1967 Big Block Question

Joe

Very interesting. I own a 68 with AIR installed. When I see ads for other 68 Corvettes I always look for the AIR systems in the pictures. Maybe one in ten still has it. If one was a dishonest law enforcement officer one could corner the market on 68 Corvettes

Rich

[Paul P.]

Re: 1967 Big Block Question

Joe:

What you say makes sense. I have a '68 with a "010" crate engine installed with aftermarket headers and no AIR, as provided by the previous owner. There is no requirement that I submit the car for inspection, one of the breaks I get with its ownership. Not sure if the crate engine status changes what I'm obligated to keep. Now I'm wondering what would be involved in retrofitting my car to bring it into strict compliance. It doesn't sound easy.

Your know-how in this area is pretty impressive! Thank you for taking the time to write.

~paul

[Joe L.]

Re: 1967 Big Block Question

Joe:

What you say makes sense. I have a '68 with a "010" crate engine installed with aftermarket headers and no AIR, as provided by the previous owner. There is no requirement that I submit the car for inspection, one of the breaks I get with its ownership. Not sure if the crate engine status changes what I'm obligated to keep. Now I'm wondering what would be involved in retrofitting my car to bring it into strict compliance. It doesn't sound easy.

Your know-how in this area is pretty impressive! Thank you for taking the time to write.

~paul

Paul------


All 1968 Corvettes were originally equipped with AIR, including L-88. So, it does not matter what engine is in the car if an emissions inspection occurs for any reason. Under California law any 1968 Corvette must be equipped with AIR. For 1968 the AIR system was not designated as K-19 since it was not optional; it was standard equipment. Since federal law requires that no originally installed emissions control system can be removed from any car, any 1968 Corvette without AIR would be in violation of federal law, too.

By the way, if a later engine were installed in a 1968 Corvette (for example, an LS1 engine out of a 1997 Corvette), all of the emissions control equipment and systems applicable to the engine would need to be maintained under California law. So, what about crate engines? Crate engines are usually not supplied with any sort of emissions control systems (except PRODUCTION engines sold over-the-counter) so the required emissions control systems revert to what was originally installed on the car.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1967 Big Block Question

Joe

Very interesting. I own a 68 with AIR installed. When I see ads for other 68 Corvettes I always look for the AIR systems in the pictures. Maybe one in ten still has it. If one was a dishonest law enforcement officer one could corner the market on 68 Corvettes

Rich

Rich------


You can be certain that every single one of those 1968's without AIR was originally so-equipped.

[Paul P.]

Re: 1967 Big Block Question

Paul------


All 1968 Corvettes were originally equipped with AIR, including L-88. So, it does not matter what engine is in the car if an emissions inspection occurs for any reason. Under California law any 1968 Corvette must be equipped with AIR. For 1968 the AIR system was not designated as K-19 since it was not optional; it was standard equipment. Since federal law requires that no originally installed emissions control system can be removed from any car, any 1968 Corvette without AIR would be in violation of federal law, too.

By the way, if a later engine were installed in a 1968 Corvette (for example, an LS1 engine out of a 1997 Corvette), all of the emissions control equipment and systems applicable to the engine would need to be maintained under California law. So, what about crate engines? Crate engines are usually not supplied with any sort of emissions control systems (except PRODUCTION engines sold over-the-counter) so the required emissions control systems revert to what was originally installed on the car.

Again, what you say rings true. Should I decide to install AIR, would it be possible with the "010" motor?

Now I'm curious, aside from the legal issues, how well did the AIR system clean up emissions? I do know that there is a big difference between starting my fully legal '90 Mazda or '09 Honda and the 1968 Corvette in the garage (with the garage door open).


~paul

[Joe L.]

Re: 1967 Big Block Question

Again, what you say rings true. Should I decide to install AIR, would it be possible with the "010" motor?

Now I'm curious, aside from the legal issues, how well did the AIR system clean up emissions? I do know that there is a big difference between starting my fully legal '90 Mazda or '09 Honda and the 1968 Corvette in the garage (with the garage door open).


~paul

Paul------


If by "010" motor you mean a 350 cid small block with a GM #3970010 block, AIR is completely compatible. GM once manufactured MILLIONS of engines with this block and AIR. Of course, you need exhaust manifolds with AIR fittings.

The AIR system definitely improves exhaust emissions and makes the car more enjoyable to drive. In fact, the latter is why I highly recommend that AIR be maintained. I discovered this one day when I was out driving with the top down in my 1969 and the AIR pump seized, breaking the belt. There were a LOT more fumes in the passenger compartment on the rest of the drive after that occurred. I replaced the pump quickly.

However, keep in mind that an early Corvette with AIR is not going to be as emissions-free as a late model car such as you describe.

[Paul P.]

Re: 1967 Big Block Question

If by "010" motor you mean a 350 cid small block with a GM #3970010 block, AIR is completely compatible. GM once manufactured MILLIONS of engines with this block and AIR. Of course, you need exhaust manifolds with AIR fittings.

The exhaust manifold would be a problem. The previous owner installed headers and a knowledgable source told me they were cheap ones at that. They also hang relatively low, so I know they will go bad in the future. At that point I will try and install a stock manifold and will think seriously about an AIR system. Is it possible to install correct exhaust manifolds without AIR?

I'm aware that the emissions will not be even nearly as clean as recent model cars. It's kind of amazing the progress that technology has made in that area.

All I know about the motor is that it is an "010". Not sure of the GM #3970010 designation, do the two go together?


~paul

[Joe L.]

Re: 1967 Big Block Question

The exhaust manifold would be a problem. The previous owner installed headers and a knowledgable source told me they were cheap ones at that. They also hang relatively low, so I know they will go bad in the future. At that point I will try and install a stock manifold and will think seriously about an AIR system. Is it possible to install correct exhaust manifolds without AIR?

I'm aware that the emissions will not be even nearly as clean as recent model cars. It's kind of amazing the progress that technology has made in that area.

All I know about the motor is that it is an "010". Not sure of the GM #3970010 designation, do the two go together?


~paul

Paul------


It is possible to obtain stock manifolds that do not have AIR fittings. Most 1970-71 Corvette small blocks did not have AIR and those manifolds can be used on earlier engines.

I don't really know what the "010" means and I've never heard of an engine referred to as that. I'm just assuming it refers to an engine with a 3970010 block.

[Larry S.]

Re: 1967 Big Block Question

I don't have personal experience with 1967s with K-19, but I once owned a 66 with it. My State doesn't require emissions testing, so I don't know how much good the smog equipment made. But...I do know what a PITA my 66 was because of K-19: Every year required a complete new carburetor because the emissions equipment literally cooked the carburetor. I believe that John Hinckley verified my experience when he responded to my post about this once before.