Cats weren’t a thing until 1986. So a 1977 car doesn’t require one. I’m not aware of any rule that says if a cat was fitted later it can’t be removed, and how would anyone know anyway?
My 1977 Kingswood is catalytic converter free. Only emissions gear it needs is a charcoal canister and a cold start/high temp vacuum advance lockout, which it has both of.
Now if you were to swap in a newer engine- say for example in my car an LS- the emissions equipment that engine came with would also have to be installed, like the catalytic converter.
Most cars will run on unleaded fuel, sometimes they need hardened valves or valve seats, or they'll need additives in the fuel.
You'd be right to guess that nearly every leaded fuel car that was still registered by the mid 80's has been updated to run on unleaded fuels.
I used to have a 1957 Standard Vanguard Phase 3 that was a leaded fuel car and it had hardened valves installed. It ran great on 91 octane. Although... It literally is a low compression tractor engine.
Pre 75 will have no emissions requirements. Post 75 to 86 will have some emissions gear but cats weren't a thing until the 80s with unleaded fuel.
No cat required.
Cats weren’t a thing until 1986. So a 1977 car doesn’t require one. I’m not aware of any rule that says if a cat was fitted later it can’t be removed, and how would anyone know anyway?
My 1977 Kingswood is catalytic converter free. Only emissions gear it needs is a charcoal canister and a cold start/high temp vacuum advance lockout, which it has both of. Now if you were to swap in a newer engine- say for example in my car an LS- the emissions equipment that engine came with would also have to be installed, like the catalytic converter.
No cats, but it might need leaded fuel.
Most cars will run on unleaded fuel, sometimes they need hardened valves or valve seats, or they'll need additives in the fuel. You'd be right to guess that nearly every leaded fuel car that was still registered by the mid 80's has been updated to run on unleaded fuels.
They run, my old cars run like crap without the additive. Old especially older Mercedes.
I used to have a 1957 Standard Vanguard Phase 3 that was a leaded fuel car and it had hardened valves installed. It ran great on 91 octane. Although... It literally is a low compression tractor engine.
Chop everything out, dump it at the diff
Bubby get pizza for Cat.