My 88 ford f250 didnt pass smog the other day. it

Have you checked oxygen sensor operation and readings? A faulty o2 sensor can cause these issues. It may be sending an improper reading to the computer resulting in wrong air/fuel mixtures

The smog check requires a visual inspection of your check engine light. It has to come on for a bulb check at startup to make sure it's working. But, the light must go out after starting the engine(it cannot stay on after the engine starts during a smog check). If the check engine light fails either of these two tests, the vehicle will fail the smog check inspection.
You need to have the cause of your inoperative check engine light diagnosed and repaired.

Take it to a different place to get it inspected, if there are no codes it should pass this test

Maybe not your answer, but it is related: Before going to have your car smogged, check your gas cap. Check the condition of the gasket, or o-ring, inside the gas cap. If is already drying out, full of cracks, get a new one. It will not pass the visual inspection. The smog technician, salesman, will try to sell you a new one for $15 when you could get it for $8 at your local auto-parts store. The technician will tell you that if you do not get it right there and then, he will have to fail your car on the visual test and you will have to comeback to have your car re-smogged again.
The cap might still be doing an OK job of sealing the tank, but it won't pass the Visual, especially if the tech wants to sell you a cap. You can tell if the cap is doing its job if you hear a hissing sound whenever you open the gas cap after running the engine fro a while. If it is not providing a good seal, then you might get a check engine light with a code about a failure in the evaporative system.
Just a little thing to check before you go and put yourself at the mercy of the smog tech.
For $15 you could get a locking gas cap, which might be a necessity now with gasoline prices being what they are, now.

check the timing it may be off also clean throtlebody out and put a injector cleaner in the tank.goodluck.

remove the hose to the PCV and It simply pulls out and a new one is pushed in and hose is inserted back on. It's kind of like a cork. I can not believe they check for visual inspection. Here in SC, we don't have inspections. But anyways, GOOD LUCK

Would double check your firing order on your cap.If running worse almost positive some wires were crossed.The spark plug firing order is ( 1 - 3 - 7 - 2 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 8 ) and runs counterclockwise on the distributor cap.

Only service station can reset.If your check engine light is on go to a Pep Boys or auto barn most will read the computer diagnostic for free.( $ 5-10 ) tip might get them to reset it,might.I don't know what a service station charges $ 75 ? good luck

I have a 98 Montero Sport and have yet to fail a test. I have changed a CAT Converter for 200 and some O2 sensors for 50 per since i had the car. you can get a aftermarket universal O2 sensor at a good price as for the CAT Converter ya they are expensive I just knew the guy. As for the dash light disconect your battery it will reset it

http://www.summitracing.com

call thier tech support to get the exact part numbers and help for installation..