How difficult is it to replace Cat Converter

Do I have to replace the manifolds back? or can I just remove the Cat?







On Jan 11, 8:37 pm, "Martin Riddle" wrote:
> Easy DIY job. Gaskets, manifold studs, PB blaster.
> I think I paid $150 delivered fromwww.ctconvert.com
> Its been a few years, very happy with them.
>
> Cheers
>
> wrote in messagenews:cd8b6dd4-8ba8-4707-9156-7b9a5b3611be@f10g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
> > It is a 89 s10 4.3 4x4 if that helps.
 >> Stay informed about: How difficult is it to replace Cat Converter 

In article
<91c456fd-2eae-455d-80a1-ac46cd6da045 RemoveThis @j78g2000hsd.googlegroups.co
m>,
drallan RemoveThis @smcm.edu wrote:

> Ok, so I think my catalytic conver needs replacing. The heat shield is
> rattling pretty bad, and its pretty old and rusted and I have replaced
> or tuned-up just about everything else.

Rattling heat shields do not cause driveability problems.

> So hopefully this will help my
> bogging down.

AKA; swapnostics.

> Anyways I have called around to all the local shops
> (midas, mieneke, a few local) and the are looking for around $300 to
> replace it.

M'kay...

> But I can buy the part for around $100 so I am wondering
> where the $200 mark up comes from.

It comes from marking the parts up.
It comes from maybe they don't source it from the same place
where you price shopped.

> I know labor and all but I can't
> imagine it would take a muffler expert very long to cut off and weld
> up a new one.

Nope, probably not. That expertise is worth money.

> It looks pretty straight forward just remove a few bolts
> and clamps and replace them. But I have found many projects to be a
> little more complicated than expected.

Are the bolts rusted?
Are the clamps rusted?
Do you have an O/A torch?
How big is your MIG welder?
Ever tried welding the top side of an exhaust pipe where there is
no room to see and no room for the MIG nozzle?
Are you adept at reacting instantly when your weld hits a thin
spot and avoid making a small burn hole a BIG burn hole.
Are you fond of the taste of rust?
Are you able to not flinch even a little bit when a MIG Bee-Bee
burns your neck. How about when 20 of them hit you in 3 seconds.
Can you weld blind?

> So how difficult would it be to do myself, and what surprise parts or
> tools should I pick up before attempting.

Things you might find necessary;
O/A torch
Air chisel and appropriate pipe cutting bits (chisels).
Whizzer (air powered cut off wheel)
Saws-all
Chain type pipe cutter.
Hydraulic pipe expander
MIG or gas welding equipment.
Fire extinguisher (CO2 preferred)

> oh yeah, please don't post "Just cut it off, you don't need it" I know
> I can get by with out it. But I want everything in working oder in
> case I ever move, have to sell, ect.
 >> Stay informed about: How difficult is it to replace Cat Converter 

Easy DIY job. Gaskets, manifold studs, PB blaster.
I think I paid $150 delivered from www.ctconvert.com
Its been a few years, very happy with them.

Cheers

wrote in message
> It is a 89 s10 4.3 4x4 if that helps.
 >> Stay informed about: How difficult is it to replace Cat Converter 

Call and find out if the Y pipe is part of it. Most Y pipes are welded to the Cat.
You'll need to back out the studs from the maifolds, since the nuts that mount the Y pipe on are probably toast by now.

Cheers

wrote in message
> Do I have to replace the manifolds back? or can I just remove the Cat?
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Jan 11, 8:37 pm, "Martin Riddle" wrote:
>> Easy DIY job. Gaskets, manifold studs, PB blaster.
>> I think I paid $150 delivered fromwww.ctconvert.com
>> Its been a few years, very happy with them.
>>
>> Cheers
>>
>> wrote in messagenews:cd8b6dd4-8ba8-4707-9156-7b9a5b3611be@f10g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
>> > It is a 89 s10 4.3 4x4 if that helps.
>
>
>
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: How difficult is it to replace Cat Converter 

aarcuda69062 wrote:
> In article
> <91c456fd-2eae-455d-80a1-ac46cd6da045 DeleteThis @j78g2000hsd.googlegroups.co
> m>,
> drallan DeleteThis @smcm.edu wrote:
>
>> Ok, so I think my catalytic conver needs replacing. The heat shield is
>> rattling pretty bad, and its pretty old and rusted and I have replaced
>> or tuned-up just about everything else.
>
> Rattling heat shields do not cause driveability problems.
>
>> So hopefully this will help my
>> bogging down.
>
> AKA; swapnostics.
>
>> Anyways I have called around to all the local shops
>> (midas, mieneke, a few local) and the are looking for around $300 to
>> replace it.
>
> M'kay...
>
>> But I can buy the part for around $100 so I am wondering
>> where the $200 mark up comes from.
>
> It comes from marking the parts up.
> It comes from maybe they don't source it from the same place
> where you price shopped.
>
>> I know labor and all but I can't
>> imagine it would take a muffler expert very long to cut off and weld
>> up a new one.
>
> Nope, probably not. That expertise is worth money.
>
>> It looks pretty straight forward just remove a few bolts
>> and clamps and replace them. But I have found many projects to be a
>> little more complicated than expected.
>
> Are the bolts rusted?
> Are the clamps rusted?
> Do you have an O/A torch?
> How big is your MIG welder?
> Ever tried welding the top side of an exhaust pipe where there is
> no room to see and no room for the MIG nozzle?
> Are you adept at reacting instantly when your weld hits a thin
> spot and avoid making a small burn hole a BIG burn hole.
> Are you fond of the taste of rust?
> Are you able to not flinch even a little bit when a MIG Bee-Bee
> burns your neck. How about when 20 of them hit you in 3 seconds.
> Can you weld blind?
>
>> So how difficult would it be to do myself, and what surprise parts or
>> tools should I pick up before attempting.
>
> Things you might find necessary;
> O/A torch
> Air chisel and appropriate pipe cutting bits (chisels).
> Whizzer (air powered cut off wheel)
> Saws-all
> Chain type pipe cutter.
> Hydraulic pipe expander
> MIG or gas welding equipment.
> Fire extinguisher (CO2 preferred)
>
>> oh yeah, please don't post "Just cut it off, you don't need it" I know
>> I can get by with out it. But I want everything in working oder in
>> case I ever move, have to sell, ect.

Add a lift or at least 4 GOOD jack stands that can get the vehicle up
enough so you can work under it.

--
Steve W.
Near Cooperstown, New York
 >> Stay informed about: How difficult is it to replace Cat Converter 

On Sat, 12 Jan 2008 18:44:01 -0500, "Steve W." ,
in an obviously impaired state, wrote:

>aarcuda69062 wrote:
>> In article
>> <91c456fd-2eae-455d-80a1-ac46cd6da045.RemoveThis@j78g2000hsd.googlegroups.co
>> m>,
>> drallan.RemoveThis@smcm.edu wrote:
>>

>>
>> Are the bolts rusted?
>> Are the clamps rusted?
>> Do you have an O/A torch?
>> How big is your MIG welder?
>> Ever tried welding the top side of an exhaust pipe where there is
>> no room to see and no room for the MIG nozzle?
>> Are you adept at reacting instantly when your weld hits a thin
>> spot and avoid making a small burn hole a BIG burn hole.
>> Are you fond of the taste of rust?
>> Are you able to not flinch even a little bit when a MIG Bee-Bee
>> burns your neck. How about when 20 of them hit you in 3 seconds.
>> Can you weld blind?
>>
>>> So how difficult would it be to do myself, and what surprise parts or
>>> tools should I pick up before attempting.
>>
>> Things you might find necessary;
>> O/A torch
>> Air chisel and appropriate pipe cutting bits (chisels).
>> Whizzer (air powered cut off wheel)
>> Saws-all
>> Chain type pipe cutter.
>> Hydraulic pipe expander
>> MIG or gas welding equipment.
>> Fire extinguisher (CO2 preferred)
>>
>>> oh yeah, please don't post "Just cut it off, you don't need it" I know
>>> I can get by with out it. But I want everything in working oder in
>>> case I ever move, have to sell, ect.
>
>Add a lift or at least 4 GOOD jack stands that can get the vehicle up
>enough so you can work under it.

Hell, Steve, having had the exhuast pipe disconnect from the muffler
end on a 1985 Fleetwood Brougham, and being out on the road not being
able to lift the car to get the pipe free from the rear axle, and
having had to use a hacksaw to cut through that very healthy portion
of exhaust pipe just so I could get home without dealing with the
nightmare of a pothole sending exhuast pipe up into my gas tank, I'd
say $300 for a pro to do the job is a reasonable price indeed.

BTW, right after that ordeal, I did go out and buy a pipe cutter,
which I DID use when replacing the catalytic converter on my 1976
Matador. I can honestly say that NO set of jack stands will raise a
car enough to make any exhuast work convenient or comfortable. It can
only be made that way on a whole car lift. I can also attest to the
fact that rust, road dirt, grease, and animal entrails (we have a lot
of roadkill here) make for an unpleasant after-lunch snack...

Oh... the pipe cutter works great on metal fence posts, by the way, so
it's not like I'll NEVER use it again...

--
Ray Sirois
SysOp: The Lost Chord BBS
http://thelostchord.dns2go.com:6080
telnet://thelostchord.dns2go.com:6023
 >> Stay informed about: How difficult is it to replace Cat Converter 

Alright, before I offend anymore muffler experts. I know the rattling
heat shield does not cause performance problems. I have been working
on diagnosing my problem and have narrowed it down to a few options
now. I feel the cat may be clogged. Yes I know I need to go to a shop
and have them test for back pressure before I just go and replace
parts. I was at the auto parts store getting stuff for a tune up and
asked for a quote on a cat, and to take a look at one. They did not
have a direct fit replacement, but the universal one I looked at,
looked pretty simple to replace. It was simply a small cat with heat
shield installed, with an inlet and outlet pipe.

Is it not possible to just cut out the old cat and get some fittings,
clamps, and maybe a little extra pipe and fit it back in? If the y
pipe and all other pipes are in good shape then I don't understand why
I can't do this. It may not look as pretty under the truck or may not
be stock oem but as long as it works, is safe, and gets the job done I
should be good.

I am very impressed that some of you know every tool and step in this
process that a muffler shop would use.
If all it takes is a little work to get the old stuff off, then I do
not mind putting in an afternoon to save myself a few hundred. I
understand that I am paying for expertise and all that at a shop. But
if it is something that can be done at home I don't see why I should
pay someone else to do it.
 >> Stay informed about: How difficult is it to replace Cat Converter 

I never said wasn't going to have it tested. All I have been
interested in is how feasible the project would be to do by myself. I
wanted to know my options so when I take it to the shop and if they
say it is clogged I can make an educated decision on whether or not to
have them replace it for me.

As to not getting the direct fit cat, If the direct fit involves more
work ie, removing the manifold, fighting with rusty bolts, welding,
and the universal just involved cutting and clamping and they both
work the same, I don't see the need for the extra work other than to
keep it looking cleaner under the truck. When the muffler needs
replacing, later down the road (the one on it is only a year old) I
don't mind cutting a flange to fit into a coupling as long as it
works, Or just remove the clamp from the rear of the cat and attach
the new pipe.

Look, I'm not trying to start and argument or compare who knows more
and is a better expert. All I wanted to know was how difficult a job
replacing the cat myself would be. It is an almost 20 year old work
truck that I plan on driving into the ground. Honestly if I can patch
in a cat while it may be ugly, if it fixes the problem, is safe and
legal, then I don't really care how it looks. I am no expert but
fitting pipes doesn't seem to be rocket science, it is in a straight
section of the exhaust and if it is simply cut out, attach a coupling
to the pipes, and clamp on the the new cat I don't see the prob.
However say, that the clamps don't really hold or there was another
reason as to why that would not work. A simple, No, I wouldn't
recommend it because there is a lot more involved than it appears, is
all that was necessary.
 >> Stay informed about: How difficult is it to replace Cat Converter 

In article
<6f7f3767-b2df-45e3-9da1-c751206fbd69 RemoveThis @e6g2000prf.googlegroups.com
>,
drallan RemoveThis @smcm.edu wrote:

> Alright, before I offend anymore muffler experts. I know the rattling
> heat shield does not cause performance problems. I have been working
> on diagnosing my problem and have narrowed it down to a few options
> now. I feel the cat may be clogged. Yes I know I need to go to a shop
> and have them test for back pressure before I just go and replace
> parts. I was at the auto parts store getting stuff for a tune up and
> asked for a quote on a cat, and to take a look at one. They did not
> have a direct fit replacement, but the universal one I looked at,
> looked pretty simple to replace. It was simply a small cat with heat
> shield installed, with an inlet and outlet pipe.

Why not have them get the direct fit cat?

> Is it not possible to just cut out the old cat and get some fittings,
> clamps, and maybe a little extra pipe and fit it back in? If the y
> pipe and all other pipes are in good shape then I don't understand why
> I can't do this. It may not look as pretty under the truck or may not
> be stock oem but as long as it works, is safe, and gets the job done I
> should be good.

It's your truck, you can cut and cobble all you want.
Question; when it's time to replace the exhaust pipe behind the
cat, are you really happy with cutting the flange off of a brand
new pipe in order to make it fit your previously installed one
size fits all cat?

> I am very impressed that some of you know every tool and step in this
> process that a muffler shop would use.
> If all it takes is a little work to get the old stuff off, then I do
> not mind putting in an afternoon to save myself a few hundred.

If all it takes is even less work to verify whether the cat is
restricted, why wouldn't you do that instead of just throwing
parts at it?

> I understand that I am paying for expertise and all that at a shop. But
> if it is something that can be done at home I don't see why I should
> pay someone else to do it.

Cars and trucks rarely if ever respond the way a pissed off wife
or girlfriend do, i.e., they seldom improve their behavior the
more money and gifts you lavish on them.

It is against federal law to remove a functioning catalytic
convertor from any vehicle originally equipped with one no matter
what the reason. What valid reason do you have if you're not
even willing to test the thing to see if it's restricted?
 >> Stay informed about: How difficult is it to replace Cat Converter 

one in anguish of spirit.
Her mother then asked her, whether she was afraid that God would not
give her salvation. She then answered, Yes, 1 am afraid I shall go to
hell! Her mother then endeavored to quiet her, and told her she would
not have her cry, she must be a good girl, and pray every day, and she
hoped God would give her salvation. But this did not quiet her at all;
she continued thus earnestly crying, and taking on for some time, till
at length she suddenly ceased crying, and began to smile, and presently
said with a smiling countenance, Mother, the kingdom of heaven is come
to me! Her mother was surprised at the sudden alteration, and at the
speech; and knew not what to make of it; but at first said nothing to
her. The child presently spake again, and said, There is another come to
me, and there is another, there is three; and being asked what she
meant, she answered, One is, Thy will be done, and there is another,
Enjoy Him for ever; by which it seems, that when the child said, There
is three come to me; she meant three passages of her catechism that came
to her mind.

After the child had said this, she retired again into her closet, and
her mother went over to her brother's, who was next neighbor; and when
she came back, the child, being come ou
 >> Stay informed about: How difficult is it to replace Cat Converter