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80 CJ-5 Trying to get it smog LEGAL !

5K views 29 replies 13 participants last post by  GregoryC 
#1 ·
Hey guys...
I got the Jeep running and driving. Next I need to fix the brakes. After that.....
This rig is missing the iron exhaust manifold, the catalytic converter and the original carburetor and air cleaner assembly. It will be registered in CA. I don't know if it requires an EGR valve or a smog pump. Did the 1980 models have an onboard computer?
I am still abuzz from a smog victory with my 78 Plymouth Trail Duster. I had an advantage there though since I am pretty familiar with Mopars. The Jeep models are new to me though. I know that the basics apply: Eliminate vacuum leaks, make sure that the engine has NO misfires, keep the engine temps near the limit and make sure all equipment is in place. This is where I need help. ANY clue on what I'll be expected to pay for the following parts?

Carburetor: I checked Rock Auto. I saw one for $200 including core.
Air cleaner assembly.
Iron exhaust manifold.
Exhaust pipe from manifold to Cat converter.
Thanks everyone! Greg
 
#2 ·
I don't think they had a computer in 1980 but they did have an electronic idle controller.
They also had
EGR
A.I.R. Pump
A.I.R. Air injector manifold into exhaust manifold
A.I.R. Anti backfire valve
Couple of CTO's for Ignition control and Canister purge.
TAC system in Aircleaner assembly
Electric Choke
This is just for the 48 state emission control. Don't know what else is needed for CA.

I have an 80 258 sitting in my barn, I'll snap a few Pics to show you what involved with at least those.





I'll see what else.
 
#3 ·
I'll look. I've taken all those parts off of 2 85s in the past year. I would buy a carb from Rock Auto, it took 5 carbs before I found a good one. Several of the rejects had throttle shaft movement requiring bushings, so I just kept returning them until I got one without the movement. I put 4.0 heads on both of mine which required replacing the exhaust manifold. I don't know if they went to the scrap yard. The price of steel is so high things I might have kept, went! Man I had exaust pipes and cats on both. I'll look.
 
#5 ·
Thanks guys.
I found my Chiltons book on emissions 1975-83. Apparantly according to the book, I need the following:

Pre cat converter
Cat converter
TAC with heat stove from exhaust.
Charcoal can
EGR
electric choke

A guy at a local smog shop showed me a book that showed that only ONE catalytic converter was required , but also a smog pump and AIR injection tubes in the exhaust manifold.

I found an AMC Hornet in a local Pick-N-Pull yard. It has a 258 and is complete! It will supply the exhaust and smog pump, plus a few other odds and ends.
The carb on this Jeep is not factory, and the pictures that I see on Rock Auto and at the local NAPA store show the factory carb appearing very similar to the carter 2 barrel used on 318 Dodge/Plymouth models.
 
#6 ·
Lucky day! that Hornet had an exhaust manifold that is dated 10-9-79, which I take to be an early 1980 manifold. SCORE! The manifold had the AIR injection rail in decent condition too.
I got the smog pump and diverter, plus all the brackets for $81 on the 1/2 price sale. Heck yeah!
Anyone have pictures of a factory 2 barrel carb for this thing?
 
#27 ·
Some of us have careers too lucrative to quit. I had to wait 30 years. Besides, it's a beautiful state. Also, be wary; your day is coming. Someone in Denver will think it's great if all Coloradans have emissions controls. Trust me on this.
 
#8 ·
#9 ·
1980 Did not have a computer. But you will need the EGR system and the AIR injection system. You will also need a non feedback Carter BBD, the cat., evap. system, TAC system, and spark control systems. For California everything under the hood better look or be stock for 1980. Those guys have no sense of humor anymore! lol
 
#12 ·
GregoryC said:
How common is the carburetor for this thing? I've seen a wide variance in prices for a rebuilt one.
I have a non- feedback carb from an 80cj7 including the filter housing, smog pump and various other parts I just took off...it was running great, I just drilled the idle tubes, and it comes with the rest of the rebuild kit but I went FI

If you are interested I can send pics and name your price and you can have the whole box (cheap, but shipping might be a bit)
 
#13 ·
A fuelie swap, huh? I just talked with my muffler guy about that subject. He mentioned that several of his Jeep customers have made the switch.
I'm working on this Jeep for a friend. He is more interested in returning the Jeep to stock. It hasn't been registered since 1990 !
"Steve" wanted me to go with a rebuilt carb. A local wrecking yard offers a rebuild service on their carburetors. I'm going to need a special air cleaner assembly as well because of the power brakes. The correct air cleaner is pretty odd looking, being offset the way it is! My muffler guy has a Walker catalytic converter for $200. He said that things changed in 2009 and instead of there being "universal fit" converters, they are now rated by GVWR. The Jeep is listed as a truck, so it requires a different CAT than a car. In 2000 I bought a $60 converter from Summit for a Chevy truck and welded it in myself. Ahhh, the GOOD old days!
 
#15 ·
I'm not related to the muffler guy. If I knew about a better deal, I'd certainly consider it. I looked at several Cats on the Summit website. The issue there is that if the smog dude gets nosy, a cheaper converter may "red flag" the whole schmere. I've seen prices as low as $70... SURE that sounds great to the wallet, but if the Jeep fails smog testing, it is just money wasted.
 
#16 ·
I have a cat off my 85 CJ7. I'm just waiting to go to the scrap yard. Actually went once and they won't take it without a business licence, so I must go back. I think the scrap price is about $100. I think it is illegal to sell these things, so the muffler guy is doing you a favor.

Send me a PM if you want to talk furthur.
 
#17 ·
I am about to throw my carb and cleaner in the trash... Not really, but I want it out of here and would give it up cheap as I am starting to post some nt axles with spacers & a set of chrome wagon wheels too.

If you want the carb & cleaner real cheap let me know soon...
 
#19 ·
Hey guys, Its been awhile!
I finally got back to working on this rig. The used exhaust manifold that I had was cracked and another used one was hard to find. I went with a new one at a cost of $215.
The header removal required a sawzall. As of tonight, the intake and exhaust is back on and the smog pump is in place. The carb I have is either wrong or the choke assembly is. The A.I.R. rail is in the way of the choke.
I bought a Magnaflow universal cat converter and plan to weld it in tomorrow along with the rest of the exhaust. I guess I could get it all back together besides the carb and let it sit until I determine WHICH carb it needs. I looked at rock auto's site and they list 2 carbs for a 1980 model, but only 1 picture. Theirs looks a lot like mine except for the choke. Sadly, the picture wasn't at a good enough angle to tell if mine is wrong. See, mine looks correct except for the black plastic covered electric choke unit that stands off of the carb by a fair amount. A picture of a correct carb would really clear things up. I am used to dealing with Mopars and their quirks. The AMC Jeeps certainly have theirs as well!
 
#22 ·
I have 2 BBD's I can take pics of. one is a stock 81 CJ still on my smog engine. The other is a spare I picked up off of a 80 AMC Eagle 258. I will snap off a couple tomorrow for you. I do believe 80 and 81 to be identical.
 
#29 ·
Ok as promised here are some photos of 2 BBD's one mounted and one on the bench. the mounted one is all 1981 calif CJ. note the emission hoses are not on it. this is my spare engine for smog. the one on the bench is out of a 80 Eagle 4wd 258 also a calif car. I hope these help you
 

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#30 ·
W O W....Thanks a ton, guys!
I see the carb that I have in one of those pictures. It is a carter 2 barrel with a wire ring that bridges over the throat to mount the air cleaner.
I also noticed that the A.I.R. tubes in the pic are shorter than the ones I pirated from an AMC Hornet wagon. Today I simply bent the tubes toward the valve cover and the carb now clears! I have to buy some carb mounting studs, a smog pump belt and an air filter, and this dude should run!
Thanks again guys. Very thoughtful to respond the way you all did!:2thumbsup:
 
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