Thank much for the information above!
I've purchased aftermarket O2 sensors for my 97 T-Bird. Does this kind of part need a CA EO to be sold for use in CA? it was shipped to me in CA but i don't remember seeing any statement that it was or was not certified for use in CA. There was no reference to an EO. This is very different than my experience with Cats. I don't even think a retailer will ship a Cat to CA unless it has an EO. I don't know what the difference between these too examples is. it seems the cat needs an EO to be sold in CA but not so for the O2 sensor!

The 02 sensors listed at parts sites don't state CA or Fed. In 1997, A/F sensors were not common thus there may be only one emissions model.

The issue then becomes obtaining a part that is compatible with Fords. Toyota has a few issues with some 02-A/F brands that are stated to work but don't as well as others. If Ford is the same don't know.

Best bet is when the part arrives check the part number and compare at sites like Rockauto.com which lists most brands plus a host of part numbers a part replaces.

It appears all four sensors are the same part number.

Toyota CA cars used A/F sensors and Fed used O2. Thus an O2 can not be used in a car designed for a A/F. The CA Camry also used a different distributor, head, had fuel system mods, etc and these parts can't be swapped between Fed and CA.

For Ford, on O2 sensor may fit all emissions requirements but the CA car had a different cat.

Some vendors will ship to CA, others state not legal for use in CA. Depends on the part, year and model of car. If a part was not CA specific, then it does not matter. It seems 02 sensors for the T-bird was used for all cars.

Thanks!
 

Thanks much for this info toyomoho! This thread is my first experience with this forum but since I now have a 2014 camry I'm sure to be back. All my past experience is with the 97 third. I've got a lot to learn before I know as much about the camry as I do about the third! Should be fun!