Any Texas emissions experts?

Living in a sparsely populated area, this is a topic I have no experience with. I may be moving this summer and a friend brought up the fact that Austin among other larger cities, does emissions tests as part of the safety inspection. I have found a 1959 F100 minus engine that seems to be calling to me and I have a line on a 70's era 302 V8. I also have an 82 F100 flareside that I am feeling the need to put a Cummins 4BT in. Both should be emissions exempt as is due to age. The general question I have is regarding engine transplants. Does a newer engine in an older vehicle change the vehicle's exemption status or should I try and go with something more period correct? I hope this makes sense.

 

how would they know?

 

I'm no expert, but as far as I know, exempt means exempt. My inspection guy doesn't even pop the hood. You should be fine.

 

Yep don't tell unless you are specifically asked. Just make sure that it's in the best state of tune you can have it in when you go have the inspection done with a little clear it out jaunt out on the fast roads just before you go.

I'd go online and check The Texas rules as to what applies to your particular vehicle though and save a bunch of fret and worry.

Here, http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/rsd/vi/inspection/inspectionCriteria.aspx

 

You won't have any problems. Just the safety inspection.

 

Thanks guys for the input. The DMV site says 24 years or older are exempt. I thought remembered hearing a while back that if the engine was newer, then the vehicle had to pass emissions from that year. I just didn't want to move to a new place and stuck with something that wouldn't pass. I am going to go with out of sight out of mind.

 

Same here, they haven't even opened my hood.

 

It does't matter if the engine is newer. As long as its still titled as the older exempt vehicle they don't care whats under the hood.

 

No emissions for the older stuff or diesels. You got no worries.