When I used to have to smog my valiant and first challenger in CA I would retard the timing a couple degrees and install a hotter thermostat for the test. They would both fail with the 180 degree stat but pass with a 210. As mentioned above though, definitely start with all maintenance items.
-Jon
70 challenger convertible. 340/5 speed. blown, intercooled, efi, blah blah blah
71 valiant scamp 318/A833OD/AC/PS
00 dakota RC 4.7L 5 spd autoX'r. SRT10/T56 swap in process
73 W200 Power wagon, PTO winch, 4 spd
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