Hi Robert,

Strange problem!!!

How was the engine temperature when the cat was red hot? Bang the cat with
a hammer, look for loose parts inside, if nothing is loose, remove the cat
and inspect this one, could be clogged (if clogged you should have loose
parts inside). But red hot??????

The muffler could also be the problem, if this one is clogged it could do
restriction!!! But something else is wrong, with a clogged cat or muffler
you should have a very rough or not running engine. How is the temperature
of the rest of the exhaust system? Is the end of the muffler (near tail
pipe) warm, or almost cold when the cat is red hot.

Remove the cat and inspect this one, no other solution.

If clogged and you NEED to run the van for a short period of time:
The following is a temporary solution (don't bash me), remove cat, take a
hammer and a big screw driver and bang the inside of the cat until there is
nothing left inside (ceramic)!!!! ONLY IF YOU ARE SURE THAT THIS ONE IS
CLOGGED.

But I doubt that this is the problem if the engine is running normally
(temperature and stable idle)

Note: the cat is the only restricting place in the exhaust system (anti
pollution!!!!), that's why it could get hotter than any other exhaust part.
Also, this is not good for the engine.
Removing the inside of the cat will a least save the engine!!!!

Ben
http://www3.sympatico.ca/huotx/engine1.htm