I recently bought an '88 F-150 4x4. It has a 351 automatic. I bought the truck in Oklahoma and it has no cat and just a dump pipe after the muffler. Oklahoma has no emmisions or even safety inspections, so it was OK there.

Problem is that I live in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Not only do I have to have a tail pipe outside the truck and a cat to pass the Texas safety inspection, I have to get it smog legal in the Metroplex.

I plan on putting a cat and duals with glass packs running straight out the back. That for sure gets me Texas legal.

The problem I have is that if I take the truck down to get the emmisions test and it fails, I still have to pay the $40 fee plus the cost of repairs. Can anyone give me suggestions on how to be sure it'll pass before the test? I've read on this board that Auto Zone will read code in some states. Is this feasible on this truck and is Texas a state the they provide this service?

Any help is appreciatied.

 

You asked for any help, and before I go on, here's the disclaimer.
I was involved in a strict emission control program (enforcement end, not wrench turning end) in Alaska from 1985 thru 1999. The info I'm giving you MAY NOT apply to you and your location, ok? But here is what I can tell you.
It sounds like TX has a visual/functional and tailpipe test for your truck. You say you can run a cat and split to duals from there? Possibly. Some states require the same exh config as came from the factory.
Also, some states have limits on what you have to spend to pass.
Sometimes those limits don't apply untill you fail a test and sometimes those repairs have to be done by a "certified smog station". Anyone from CA can probably confirm what I'm saying.
Based on what I know and remember about the TX program, here is what I would do.
Find a shop that is certified to test your vehicle and repair it. Ask them if they can check your tailpipe emissions in the "tune up mode" to see if it will pass the tailpipe test. This test is done at 2500 rpm for 30 seconds and then idle for 30 seconds. If they can and will do this, ask them to print the readings for each test and confirm will it pass or not. Again, this is NOT an offical test and the actual test may read different for reasons I won't go into right now. If it won't pass the tailpipe, ask them to check further to see if any visual or functional items could be the cause. Ask them what is required in their opinon to pass and what they would do if it was their truck. This all won't be free either I'm afraid. Do they have No Pass/No Pay there? Doesn't sound like it but I thought I would throw that out.
Now, hopefully you picked a shop you have heard good things about AND is upfront and honest. Yes, Auto Zone will check for codes........if your check engine light is on, or service engine soon light is on, you could be failed for that. But again, please don't go throwing a bunch of $$$ at it quite yet. Either you (or me) don't have enough info to go on right now.
I hope this was of some help. Did I leave you
?
Just give another post with more info and I'll do what I can. Good Luck!

 

All of Texas has a visual/functional test, and approximately 9 counties (Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston areas) have a tailpipe test.

The duals I described are legal, I've checked multiple sources.

The emissions test is $39.50 and you pay whether you pass or not.

 

Does TX check for HC? CO? NOx? All three? Is the engine stock? Are any MIL's or check engine lights on?
If yes to stock and no to lights, fix the exhaust with an "approved" cat, change the oil and filter, change the PCV valve and get a test in the tuneup mode as I mentioned above, or if no dice on the tune up mode, get the test.
Save all your receipts in case you have to go to a *Referee* station. They should have one of those if the testing is done by certified independant garages and shops. A Referee station may be able to help if you still fail the test.
Good luck!
Jeff

 

96 and older get the tailpipes sniffed. 97 and new gets obdII ports scanned

 

soooooo... tailpipe only for the 88? If so, same recommendations to pass....air filter too maybe.
Jeff

 

Thanks for the help!

 

What would be the advantages and disadvantages of putting headers on this truck. I would like to improve mileage if possible.

Also suggest brands of headers that would be good.