Catalytic Converter - good or no good ?

[sgtsandman]

I haven't put it together yet but should have a torch available when I get ready to, I've thought of just washing it off, It'll need to be replaced either way but I'm simply hoping to buy a little time

A torch is a very useful tool. A propane torch is often enough to get the job done. I've used one in a pinch a time or two for stuck fasteners and steel wheels to break the rust lock.

 

[JohnnyO]

Yeah I could see that if i had a dozen or so but one scraggly moron such as myself with a single cruddy old cat seems a bit over the top. I'd have signed a form if needed. Heck this yard actually scans you drivers license when you drop stuff off.

Years ago we had a "cat burglar" situation like that at a Nissan dealership. Apparently Nissan's back then had bolt right on both ends of the cats. They got about 50 in one night.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Photos of the inside of both, these are the plates that face each other. So, last plate on first cat, and first plate on second cat:

So, apparently I need catalytic converters

(Please bear in mind that I am not trying to break the law, and I know I need to put cats back on this heep)

Would I be legal to go to a single new CARB certified one, or will I still need to use two?

 

[sgtsandman]

I'm not sure there is enough room under the truck to run a proper sized single. I figure the single would have to be about the same size of both of your current ones to handle the exhaust volume properly. I think, it needs to be within a certain distance of the engine to operate properly as well.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I'm not sure there is enough room under the truck to run a proper sized single. I figure the single would have to be about the same size of both of your current ones to handle the exhaust volume properly. I think, it needs to be within a certain distance of the engine to operate properly as well.

I remember @adsm08 talking about cats. IIRC the dual and triple cats were because the 2 cats each removed different parts of the emissions.

 

[4.0blue98]

@PetroleumJunkie412 Man, you need to stop using that jet fuel you run in that 2.9L.

 

[sgtsandman]

I remember @adsm08 talking about cats. IIRC the dual and triple cats were because the 2 cats each removed different parts of the emissions.

If his exhaust is setup like mine, there is a cat on each bank of cylinders. It appears he is only showing two, so I guessing that is the case. If so, they are removing the same emissions. Just one on the passenger side and one on the driver's side so as to take advantage of room an clearances under the truck.

As far as the extra cat on other trucks, you could very well be right. The left and right take care of some of the emissions and the third down stream cleans up the rest.

 

[Josh B]

If his exhaust is setup like mine, there is a cat on each bank of cylinders. It appears he is only showing two, so I guessing that is the case. If so, they are removing the same emissions. Just one on the passenger side and one on the driver's side so as to take advantage of room an clearances under the truck.

As far as the extra cat on other trucks, you could very well be right. The left and right take care of some of the emissions and the third down stream cleans up the rest.

Post 33 "these are the plates that face each other. So, last plate on first cat, and first plate on second cat" so that would only describe the two bolted directly together

 

[gw33gp]

As I understand it, the first two cats are designed to reduce emissions at startup until the main cat(s) gets hot enough to do the job. The first two cats are closer to the heads and heat up quicker. My Ranger has four cats, one on each bank and two after the exhaust comes into one pipe. I guess the two main cats reduce different emissions.

I know cats have a limited life but they do last a long time when used with an engine that is healthy. Mine have over 247K miles on them and still pass CA emissions. I did replace the O2 sensors once.

 

[sgtsandman]

Post 33 "these are the plates that face each other. So, last plate on first cat, and first plate on second cat" so that would only describe the two bolted directly together

Well, I then stand corrected.

 

[Josh B]

Well, I then stand corrected.

It is kinda like a little riddle

 

[JohnnyO]

I know cats have a limited life but they do last a long time when used with an engine that is healthy. Mine have over 247K miles on them and still pass CA emissions. I did replace the O2 sensors once.

The Mustang my son used to have once started with the horrible rotten egg smell. The two years he was in grad school it didn't get driven much, just started and moved occasionally around the house since he couldn't take it to school. I think running in choke mode too much fouled the cats. My mechanic got me some stuff called Cat-A-Clean or something, it cost about $27 for a quart to dump in the gas tank but it was worth a shot before I spent $800 on new cats. Seemed to work, the smell went away and it passed emissions.

 

[Dirtman]

Theres usually one on each bank, one downstream after the y pipe and usually the 4th thing that looks like another downstream cat is actually just a resonator. My 4 cylinder has a single upstream, single downstream, resonator, and then muffler.

 

[4.0blue98]

The Mustang my son used to have once started with the horrible rotten egg smell. The two years he was in grad school it didn't get driven much, just started and moved occasionally around the house since he couldn't take it to school. I think running in choke mode too much fouled the cats. My mechanic got me some stuff called Cat-A-Clean or something, it cost about $27 for a quart to dump in the gas tank but it was worth a shot before I spent $800 on new cats. Seemed to work, the smell went away and it passed emissions.

I used that stuff twice. Once to pass emissions with an old Pontiac and it worked. Did replace the cat a couple years later. I used it once as a precaution when I had an intermittent hard misfire on my Dodge Avenger and had to drive it a couple hours before I could change the quality MOPAR OE O2 sensor. Changed the sensor and dumped in a bottle of that afterwards just in case. Still have the Avenger and no problems other than Mopar stuff. Don't tell @PetroleumJunkie412 I said that...

 

[Josh B]

I used that stuff twice. Once to pass emissions with an old Pontiac and it worked. Did replace the cat a couple years later. I used it once as a precaution when I had an intermittent hard misfire on my Dodge Avenger and had to drive it a couple hours before I could change the quality MOPAR OE O2 sensor. Changed the sensor and dumped in a bottle of that afterwards just in case. Still have the Avenger and no problems other than Mopar stuff. Don't tell @PetroleumJunkie412 I said that...

Anyone look at the ingredients?