Questions about Massachusetts registration

[StangYellow]

I have been gathering ideas and information before I go ahead and dive into a Roadster project. I have dreams of a 408W attached to a TKO 6speed. But now after reading some of the MA laws, I am left stumped with questions. From what I have learned, emissions need to comply to the production year of the engine block. I understand that, and I'm not worried about it. However, I also read that the transmission needs to be in the same model year range as the engine. So am I stuck with buying a T5 transmission if I go with a 1995 351W? If I end up with a 1972 351, am I really limited to a Toploader? If I am not mistaken, I believe I also read that the heads/intake/ and block all need to be matching....which defeats the purpose of building a 408. I also own 2 Mustangs. One is a 2V Modular, and the other is a s/c 306.....so I'm really set on a 351 build here. Any help on this subject is appreciated!

[FFinisher]

Contact your nearby Motorist assistance center for the latest information. It convoluted, but they can help you understand.

http://www.vehicletest.state.ma.us/motorist_emissions.html#mac


Where are you located?

[StangYellow]

I'm located in Winchendon. Roughly 15 minutes from Fitchburg. Thank you for the link.

[Ray]

I'd start here: http://www.bipac.net/page.asp?content=tag_title_toolbox&g=SEMAGA

Ray

[oldguy668]

Here are the DEP's proposed regulations to comply with the law that was enacted 3 years ago. There are a few things in it that SEMA does not like and a few that we shouldn't like. There is no public hearing, but there is a public comment period through November 11. Pay particular attention to the section about older engines. We should not be required to use the same transmission and rear end if we are using a pre-74 engine. Anyway, here's the link http://bnaregs.bna.com/?id=ma_10264

[StangYellow]

Thank you for the link Oldguy. I spoke with someone at a local MAC center that was very helpful, and aimed my build in a new direction. (A disappointing direction) It appears that a crate engine is entirely out of the question, and the only real way of getting this car registered is if I purchase a donor vehicle. However, I have a question about that donor vehicle some of you might know the answer to. Lets use an 89 Mustang as an example. Once I have the Cobra inspected using the VIN/engine to that Mustang, is that Mustang still able to be registered in MA? Reason I ask is because I would rather buy myself another "good" Mustang to add to the garage instead of sending another to the scrapyard because it cannot be registered again.

[oldguy668]

Your assumption that a crate engine can't be used is wrong. Ron Everett and Mike Everson have both done it numerous times.

[StangYellow]

I'm unfamilliar with those two names, as I am new to this forum. Are they located in Mass? I was told by the gentleman at the MAC center that the applicant needs to possess the Massachusetts title to the engine block being used in the vehicle. However, I've never really seen any numbers stamped into Ford blocks so I dont know how it's supposed to match up unless you have original heads/intake. I'll figure this out soon enough!

[Colonist]

I have no idea how long it takes the Mmassacchhussettss (I can never remember which consonants to double) rule making process to produce a final rule. The following is from the state (ssttatte?) explanation of the proposed regulations (August 2013) for the law which supposedly took effect April 2011.

"• The existing prohibition on the use of new engines is being modified to allow new engines in two circumstances:
"o if the kit vehicle owner permanently retires another vehicle and destroys its engine, 4 the owner may install a new engine in the kit vehicle provided that the engine is of approximately the same size or smaller and of the same model year as the vehicle that is permanently retired, and the kit vehicle is equipped with the emissions controls required for the model year of the engine; or,

"o if the kit vehicle owner purchases a new certified configuration that is certified by the California Air Resources Board5, the model year of which is no more than one model year older than the year in which the kit vehicle is first registered.

"• The transmission requirements are simplified to require the OBD system in OBD-equipped vehicles to only monitor the transmission to the extent that the transmission was monitored in its originally certified configuration."

Don't know what interim rules are being followed or who actually knows what they are, but if experience from other states means anything, asking more than one state official is likely to result in more than one answer.

Always happy to muddy the waters. :rolleyes:

[mikiec]

Another reason to not move back to Mass.

However, this is far better than it was, before oldguy and others tackled the issue.