On mids, throughout the run 68 to 74, what emissions components were used????, Emissions stuff can, get in the way of certain performance mods Options

[1TuffClub]

I was curious if anybody could tell me for each year on the mids, starting with 68', through to 74', just what emissions components were in place originally????

First reason I want to know, is so when looking at project vans, I can more accurately assess if it's missing things. Second reason, is I'm not interested in much other than possibly an Exhaust Gas Recirculation valve, and an intake with a heated exhaust crossover for colder weather operation. Wasn't sure if on these, like some cars, they started getting into evaporation canisters, different fuel pumps with extra ports or recirculation lines. Or crap being added to the gas tank, or any kind of air pump, or even any kind of crap on the carburetor. I know in these early years, as they started coming up with more and more ideas to cope with tightening EPA standards, alot of emissions components were no where near of the efficiency of later model stuff. I'm assuming cats are far from being in the picture on mid vans. I have a little tendency to build my engines up so they look really mild or close to stock externally, but are far from it internally. Though my cam choices tend to be more emissions friendly in the duration specs and valve overlap department these days, so I suppose I won't likely run into any nightmares like I have in years past. Just want to be both knowledgeable on both what was there from Ford, and avoid buying a year that has something I'd rather not have to deal with.

Tentative plan is for either a F.A.S.T. inspired 351w based mill, though with a roller cam aimed at low and midrange torque (real similar to the Comp XE258HR valve tickler in the 351w in my current Bronco), rather than charging hard through the lights @ the 1320 ft. mark. Or, a similar built 351w, topped with a mini-blower. Or possibly still a 385 series based mill, again F.A.S.T. inspired, and looking for all the world like a 429CJ or SCJ, but running big time torque numbers, thanks to a big displacement bump.



Any first hand knowledge or literature info, even if just for one specific year, would sure be appreciated.

[Hoofbeats]

Emissions was based on GVW.The E300 had very little.The E100/200 had some but not much.Emissions were different for California.

[1TuffClub]

So, for example a 74' E100 swb would likely be the most laden with emissions components then. What kind of stuff would it have? Just an EGR, heated intake manifold, and a sealed gas tank, or more than that?

[Hoofbeats]

I've got the emmission layouts at home.I know the 1973 vans started to get carbon canisters for California.

[1TuffClub]

Huh, OK. I recall my last vintage machine, a 72' Olds 442 had one of those. I don't recall where the line comes off the engine back to the charcoal cannister, but I do seem to remember it then just continuing as a vapor return line venting back into the gas tank. If, the line first comes off the fuel pump, that could limit pump choices, to OE replacement types. Knocking out some if not all aftermarket higher GPH pumps.

[Vanner1993]

A mid ford I bought parts off of in Pensylvania had emmisions on it. It was a 74 supervan. On the exhaust it had a tube that looked similar to a glasspack but it was a converter type thing from back then.

[1TuffClub]

Really, wow. A Catalytic Convertor huh. I was hopeing these had been treated similar to trucks, where that kind of emissions component didn't come into the picture til later in the 70's.

[John Sheedy]

OK, here is what I can put on this subject: Emission control items were regulated by van weight and location it was being shipped to.

1968 thru 1972 non California or West coast models would have only had a PCV valve and maybe a PVS valve (Ported vacuum Switch) that controlled the vacuum advance on the Dist.. You would have also had an air cleaner with a vacuum operated motor in the snout that moved a butterfly that controlled air flow coming into the air cleaner. On cold morning starts the butterfly would only allow air to come up a aluminum tube running off the exhaust manifold to bring hot air up to get the choke turned off sooner. After a set time the butterfly valve would open the other way and then draw cold air from the outside.

1973 and 74 models non california or west coast would have had the items above a long with and EGR valve. Also somewere around 1971 Ford started placing non-venting gas caps to control fuel vapors escaping the tank. Also starting in 1973 Ford placed vapor canisters in there fuel system to catch different fuel vapors so they would not exit to the outside.

The only thing more a California or west coast model may have had during the 68-74 model years besides what is listed above would have been an air pump.

Because the 1975 third generation vans did not come out until spring of 1975 the 74 mid models were built a few more months longer than normal. Catalytic converters were not offered on cars or trucks until the 1975 model year and I have never seen a listing for a 74 model to have them. John

[1TuffClub]

Thanks John, great specifics.

Doesn't sound like to much for me to be concerned about.

I'm not familiar with the PVS. If I could not get away with removing it, I'm imagining I could make it look hooked up and functional, even if it wasn't.

On the EGR valve, I assume in this time range it would have been mounted on the intake manifold. Hopefully that would not be to much of an issue as far as finding the best of the flowing dual plane intakes, that could mount the EGR valve, even if I made it non-functional.

[John Sheedy]

Do they even check for this stuff on a car or truck this old were you are?

[1TuffClub]

Good point/question. It has been around 7 years since I owned my last 70's iron, a 72' Olds 442 with a W30 455. And now that you mention it, I think there may have been some changes here in the county, and the emissions testing may only apply to 74/75' or 76' and newer now. Instead of 67' and newer like it was for many years previously. I've been through some real nightmares in the past trying to get oldschool very long duration camshafts/mid and upper rpm combos through emissions. Been long enough, to where I can't even remember how much they paid attention to the equipment inspection. I was always so worried about the sniffer portion, and what with some of the experiences I had, that part is what sticks out in my mind.