1969 Emission Label?

[Tom R.]

This label appears on wiper actuator of a 69 390 built Oct 68 but it doesn't look like a typical emission label. Anyone seen one before?

[Dick W.]

Re: 1969 Emission Label?

Very interesting Tom. If my memory serves me, the idle screws were sealed with caps as the decal indicates. Never have seen that decal before. Have seen several cars well under 5k miles that did not have it.

[Michael B.]

Re: 1969 Emission Label?

Well that sparked memory. I live and grew up in California so maybe this is a regional memory.

I suspect that is a label from a retrofit NOX modification from the 70's. I can't remember the details of the kits except the VW kits required drilling into the manifold. The other kits were less invasive and I remember "sealing" the idle mixture screws with bright green silicone and placing a lable under the hood.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1969 Emission Label?

Well that sparked memory. I live and grew up in California so maybe this is a regional memory.

I suspect that is a label from a retrofit NOX modification from the 70's. I can't remember the details of the kits except the VW kits required drilling into the manifold. The other kits were less invasive and I remember "sealing" the idle mixture screws with bright green silicone and placing a lable under the hood.

Michael-----


I think that's exactly what it is, too. Notice that the label says the vehicle is equipped with a GM Exhaust Control KIT. KITS are not used in PRODUCTION, so this has to be a reference to a SERVICE type of thing.

The add-on emissions control of which you speak was, as you may recall, known in the vernacular as the "Echlin Device". All of the units on the market were, of course, not Echlin-branded, but many were so that's the name that "stuck". It may also be that Echlin invented the system. It was an early NOX control system. In the early 70's, California required that these kits be installed on certain model year cars but only at the time of title transfer (that's how I got out of it; my car was owned only by me since new). In these early years there were no emissions control inspections, just the requirement that these devices be added. Most folks had them installed at the time of sale, the new owner found out how rotten they made the car run, and very shortly disconnected the thing. I expect the label is a "vestige of what once was".

[Tom R.]

Re: 1969 Emission Label?

In the early 70's, California required that these kits be installed on certain model year cars but only at the time of title transfer (that's how I got out of it; my car was owned only by me since new). In these early years there were no emissions control inspections, just the requirement that these devices be added. Most folks had them installed at the time of sale, the new owner found out how rotten they made the car run, and very shortly disconnected the thing. I expect the label is a "vestige of what once was".

So this should be a California car but than with the exception of this label, there would be no evidence of such. (like CA specific broadcast codes or emission labels).

[Joe L.]

Re: 1969 Emission Label?

So this should be a California car but than with the exception of this label, there would be no evidence of such. (like CA specific broadcast codes or emission labels).

Tom-----


It would not necessarily have to have been a car originally delivered to California. It could be one brought in from out-of-state and registered by a new owner in California.

There were no differences in emissions systems or emissions labels for 1969 model year Corvettes regardless of where the car was originally delivered. The NOX retrofit would have occurred after the requirement was instituted for any 1969 (as well as other years) if it was brought into California or changed ownership after the requirement.

[John H.]

Re: 1969 Emission Label?

Yup, the famous (or infamous) "NOX-Box".

[Michael B.]

Re: 1969 Emission Label?

This whole ugly era is starting to come back to me. As I recall the California program was for 1966 - 1970 vehicles and was required at the time of transfer. Vehicles with only mechanical advance or multi-carburetion were exempt. The maximum cost was regulated at $50.

There were three companies making devices, Carter, STP, and Dana (Echlin). The devices worked by cutting off the vacuum advance below 55mph and resetting the timing to 4 degrees retarded of manufacturer's specification, an idle mixture adjustment and sealing of the adjustment screws. I seem to recall a kit that simply removed the vacuum advance hose and capped the exposed ports. We charged $12 to install that one which included setting the timing and mixture screws and slapping on a compliance label.

I vaguely remember one device was easier to install than the others and with the $50 limit it was favored. I can remember one that had a heat sensor that was taped to the upper radiator hose. If the vehicle overheated a control box returned the vacuum to the advance curcuit. There must have been a speed sensor too. In addition to the underhood label there was a colored label that went in the lower right side of the windshield. Red I remember was exempt. I think there was also Blue and White. We had random roadside inspections in the mid-70's. Kind of like the DUI check points they do now.

I remember showing most of my customers what was changed and handing them the parts back so that they could be put back in place once the customer left the shop.

Boy, this shakes out some memories that I haven't thought about in 30 years. Anybody else remember any details?