cat convertor

[86grdnatl]

i have a 1986 grand national with 164,000 miles on it. it still has the original catalytic convertor installed. Would you have reason to believe that this cat may have gone bad due to the amount of miles that are on the car. Also, my car sputters and backfires under wide open throttle, would a clogged cat cause or worsen my condition? Thanks alot for any help, Justin

 

[charlief1]

A clogged cat would cause the car to loose power and I have seen them cause a backfire once they start going bad so it is possible. Depending on where you live you may be able to just shell it out or replace it with one of the spun metalic units rather than a stock type so it will flow better.

 

[SinCity-T]

Did replacing the cat fix your problem? I seem to have the same issue you described.

 

[longball]

Both times I had a bad cat, car wouldn't drive - might get to 3mph - then stall. One was a Chrysler, one a Ford.
Well, first it would take a long time to get to 30mph and stall. Then 25mph and stall, etc.