Stolen truck found after 30 years

[Gmctruck01]

Hello All,
My dad bought a 1985 GMC Sierra Classic 4x4 brand new with power windows and even paid extra for a power rear window. He had it for 11 years and it was stolen in 1996. Now 30 years later the CHP found some one who bought the truck in AZ trying to register it here in CA. After a 14 hour round trip we took back the truck. Now my problem is it has an aftermarket engine with headers and the BAR smog said we can’t smog and register it unless we either do an engine swap or replace with all original parts. I can’t even find a shop willing to to a swap into an 85 in CA that will pass the BAR inspection let alone the price. Any and all suggestions welcome I heard this is the best square body site around.

 

[Redfish]

I hate to say it but in your situation doing an LS Swap doesn't sound like that bad of an idea. Surely someone in that area would be able to do that for you.

I would think it would be possible to find some of the "original" new parts, maybe even all of them. But that might be more difficult than doing the LS Swap.

 

[animal]

As Redfish stated. It would probably cost considerably more money and WAY more time to try and find all original parts. I would LS swap it. Less time, probably less money, and you get 20+mpg.

 

[nvrenuf]

Will you have to reimburse the insurance company since you have it back?

 

[CalSgt]

Gonna be hard in any of the Bay Area counties with annual or biannual checks.

Ditching the headers for manifolds shouldn’t be too hard.

Generic catalytic converter should work so long as you had it installed before 2009 (wink-wink)

If it had an air pump that may be a little difficult

If the factory “assisted” carburetor is gone that may be difficult too

How’s about a picture of the sticker on the core support and or the air cleaner if it’s still the stock air cleaner housing. Also a few pictures of the whole engine bay

 

[CalSgt]

Will you have to reimburse the insurance company since you have it back?

lol…. It’s probably worth more today than it was in 96

 

[Gmctruck01]

Will you have to reimburse the insurance company since you have it back?

My dad got speeding tickets going to Reno and they raised his rates so he took off the full coverage a few months before it was stolen so he actually got nothing for it.

 

[Gmctruck01]

Gonna be hard in any of the Bay Area counties with annual or biannual checks.

Ditching the headers for manifolds shouldn’t be too hard.

Generic catalytic converter should work so long as you had it installed before 2009 (wink-wink)

If it had an air pump that may be a little difficult

If the factory “assisted” carburetor is gone that may be difficult too

How’s about a picture of the sticker on the core support and or the air cleaner if it’s still the stock air cleaner housing. Also a few pictures of the whole engine bay

Gonna be hard in any of the Bay Area counties with annual or biannual checks.

Ditching the headers for manifolds shouldn’t be too hard.

Generic catalytic converter should work so long as you had it installed before 2009 (wink-wink)

If it had an air pump that may be a little difficult

If the factory “assisted” carburetor is gone that may be difficult too

How’s about a picture of the sticker on the core support and or the air cleaner if it’s still the stock air cleaner housing. Also a few pictures of the whole engine bay

Gonna be hard in any of the Bay Area counties with annual or biannual checks.

Ditching the headers for manifolds shouldn’t be too hard.

Generic catalytic converter should work so long as you had it installed before 2009 (wink-wink)

If it had an air pump that may be a little difficult

If the factory “assisted” carburetor is gone that may be difficult too

How’s about a picture of the sticker on the core support and or the air cleaner if it’s still the stock air cleaner housing. Also a few pictures of the whole engine bay

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[goldpack]

I wonder if your California people will recommend you send it on sale to Nevada/ Arizona. ...if it don't work out. maybe Hagerty/ Hemmings auctions. (with a nice big reserve....= Hagerty has a good pricing app for figuring what its worth. =


I live i NY,...and I could put a 572 in anything more than 25 years old.
(so even a caviler...so long as it has brakes/ lights and road worthy for safety.)
edit: but they plug into anything NOT 25 years old ...so it better have something like a native ECU in a 2002 and newer ...(counted Jan 1st of the model year...not by month of manufacture)

 

[Gmctruck01]

I wonder if your California people will recommend you send it on sale to Nevada/ Arizona. ...if it don't work out. maybe Hagerty/ Hemmings auctions. (with a nice big reserve....= Hagerty has a good pricing app for figuring what its worth. =


I live i NY,...and I could put a 572 in anything more than 25 years old.
(so even a caviler...so long as it has brakes/ lights and road worthy for safety.)
edit: but they plug into anything NOT 25 years old ...so it better have something like a native ECU in a 2002 and newer ...(counted Jan 1st of the model year...not by month of manufacture)

Good idea but none of the dash gages are working and the interior isn’t in good condition for a consignment dealer but the body is straight.

 

[bucket]

Damn.

I had a car stolen in early '01. Maybe it will finally turn up in a few more years.

Oh, and howdy from Ohio!

 

[animal]

Damn.

I had a car stolen in early '01. Maybe it will finally turn up in a few more years.

Oh, and howdy from Ohio!

that the ONLY one you don't still own from back then???

 

[bucket]

that the ONLY one you don't still own from back then???

I sold a lot of stuff up until about 10 years ago. Then I came to my senses, lol.

 

[Bennyt]

Plenty of shops can do an emissions legal LS swap, you just have to be willing to write the check.

I would think you could find all the emissions parts if you take your time. You can buy an Carb approved intake, and many of the other parts are available new.

How does the smog shop know the engine isnt factory? Put on emissions legal headers or some junkyard manifolds.

If you made a list of all the parts you need, im sure, collectively, folks on this site could find it all in their stashes. I know i have some stuff.

 

[Frankenchevy]

Msd atomic is CARB compliant for your year. Hedman makes long tubes that are CARB compliant. LS swap is difficult to get past the referee without the newer tank/evap system installed.

Register it in one of many smog exempt counties if you have a friend or relative there, or Montana LLC.