I use to help with the South Carolina NSRA safety inspection team and it's always a good idea to have some extra eyes looking over your car,,not to be critical but to advise if something may not be safe. I've seen tie rods that are missing bolts after a guy has driven 300 miles to a show. This is a free service and it never hurts. HRP
Having a Safety Day this sat. In Fort Worth, Tx. At TCJC South campus. Along with the Engine Challange. Sponsored by Painless wiring. 10am to 2pm Free food.
John, I should see you guys there as usual. We moved last month and my '37 is burried in the back of the garage some where...and now my new project is in front of it also!
can you tell me how to get one these inspections in the Wichita Ks area. Do I need to be an NSRA member?
I kept a copy of the NSRA checklist handy, when I built the 40,..and made sure it had everything in working order. Why not join NSRA,... they have people who monitor lawmakers in every state, to work on heading off anti performance car legislation.....That alone is worth being a member !!!!! 4TTRUK
While I guess it doesn't hurt, don't put much faith in a Safety Inspection. It's very superficial. I have a car in here that just got the Safety 23 sticker. More gas is leaking onto the exhaust than going through the carb, the driveshaft is being cut in 2 by the parking brake cable, the brake lines hang below the scrub line and a ton of other issues. If you really want an inspection, go to a professional shop.
All I can say about your experience is you would do a service to NSRA officials and report the total lack of concern and knowledge about what they were doing,, Here in the South the guys that volunteer their time take their job very serious,,,if we had 25 cars come through maybe 10 would not pass the safety 23,,but before the weekend was over more than half would have the recommenced repairs corrected and would get the sticker. How about posting some photos of this car and the sticker? HRP
How can it hurt to have your car inspected? Always a good selling point to have the safety 23 sticker.
I have downloaded the NSRA 23 pt inspection criteria and have it taped to the garage cabinet doors. Every time I finish an item on the 'more door', I check that aspect off the list. While the sticker on the glass may/may not impress any one else, we are doing this low dollar build the safe way. Scrub line issues are important to us as well as many common sense approaches.
..as far as the NSRA inspection I don't see how it can hurt...I had mine done and the person that did it was very helpful and pointed out a few things to me...all in all it is good...Now in New Jersey the state inspection required for you every day driver is to check for emissions only, nothing else is checked....I wonder how many of the so called PASSED INSPECTION cars that the STATE did are safe??!!...how is the front end, brakes, tires, etc. on these passed cars ? ..Miller
i used to help here in ohio i got a lot of no i dont want it inspected it wont pass . couldnt convince them if it wouldnt pass why are u driving it.
Somebody on here should have a copy of their "Fellow Pages" with a phone number-contact info for the NSRA Kansas State Safety Rep-He will be able to tell you which local events his Safety Team will be working or if a local Team member can meet you to complete the inspection process.
This is the form: HRP Vehicle Safety Inspection Requirements Required Equipment Horn: Electric only. Speed Indicator: Speedometer or calibrated tachometer at 65 mph. Rear View Mirror: One inside or outside on driver's side of vehicle. Glass: Must be safety plate, lexon, or tempered glass. Lighting: Hi-beam; low-beam; tail; brake; license. Windshield Wiper: Electric or vacuum operated. Automatic Transmission Lockout: Neutral and/or park start only. Tires: 3/32 tread acceptable. Must meet D.O.T. specifications. Steering No excessive "play" (2" radius max.) or binding; system must be safely mounted. Throttle Linkage: Must not travel past center. Fuel System: Check Vent on Trunk and Interior Mounted Tanks; no clear, plastic lines allowed. No leaks. Exhaust System: No Leaks: Must pass rear edge of front door and exit exhaust away from vehicle. Self-aligning Rod End Bearings: Check for fractures, insert sloppiness or binding. Shock Absorbers: One per wheel, no leaks, 2" travel in each direction. Brakes: Four-wheel brakes, no leaks, check brake pedal travel, no copper tubing, check length of flexible lines. Scrub Line: No steering, suspension or chassis components should be below this line. Recommended Equipment: May be reason for failure Windshield: Should be AS-1. Shift Pattern: Shift pattern should be visible except on three speed standard column shift. Fuel Lines: Should be safely mounted and routed. Parking Brake: Should be activated independent of vehicle's hydraulic system. Self-aligning Rod End Bearings: Ball should have 1/8 inch spacer on each side of the ball if there is any misalignment. Rod ends should not have more than 10° misalignment. ROD ENDS and 4 BAR-PARALLEL RADIUS ROD SYSTEM rubber bushed ends should have a safety washer at least the same outside diameter as the housing or larger. Brake Lines: Should be safely mounted and routed. Chassis Fasteners: Self-locking nuts, lock-washers, safety wire, or cotter pins. For Your Safety Safety Equipment: Fire extinguisher in driver/passenger compartment, seat belts, a third brake light and a dual master cylinder.
I've had the "It won't pass inspection" response before, with in my own club. Usually based on no wipers or even neutral start (the neutral start guy was a while back, after a close call, he saw the light and installed in a trans shifter with a built in neutral start). OK so you know it won't pass---it"s what you DON'T know that can bite you. A second set of eyes cant hurt. It's free and no membership required. BILL RINALDI
My last ride was a '29 A CCPU. The day I first got my NSRA 23 inspection and passed was a prouder moment for me than any award I could ever have won. Most NSRA inspectors are very conscientious, and they make it very clear that they want to help, not criticize. Usually when they find something wrong, it's an easy fix - go do it and come back for the signoff. But as others have noted, sometimes they find things that are very scary. Makes me wonder how many lives and cars they have actuallly saved. At minimum, the list of things they look for makes a good reminder during the build. I always tell the inspector to be picky and candid. I want him to find something wrong - before it finds me. It's free, and what's the worst that could happen?
..Kansas NSRA Safety Division...Allan Smith, RR #1, Box 100A,Larmed,KS 67550...try contacting this person for Kansas...Miller
In New England, Doug Juonis is one of the inspectors. The recent NEDragway thread shows his red '57 w/straight axle and Hillborn stacks, the Hayseed. He is a top shelf guy, in this sort of precise car build skills set.
I've seen a lot of engines here on the HAMB, "Traditional" and always wondered about the plastic lines, glass gas filters. As a past inspector, it wasn't easy at times to deal with the customers, you could really catch some grief if a car didn't pass. IMHO people are a little shy with the inspection, especially when they know they have issues, and another car guy has to point out an issue. I agree with the other post in that an extra set of eyes can never hurt the safety of the owner.
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