nys inspection for converter

Some '76s came with converters, others didn't. If you post the fender tag data (or a clear photo of the fender tag) we can give a better idea of how your car was originally equipped. A "quick and dirty" check is to see whether the car has an unleaded-fuel nozzle restrictor in the fill pipe, and "Unleaded Fuel Only" labels near the gas cap and on the dashboard.
it did have an unleaded fuel only sticker by the gas cap that i removed.