The cat is red hot due to an overwhelming amount of unburnt fuel entering
the exhuast and in then entering the cat
one or more dead cylinders
start with a compression check
could also be hung up push rods or fouled oxy sensor ?
how old is the fuel ?

Bob Donalds
Boston Engine

----- Original Message -----
From: "Zoltan" <zolo@FOXINTERNET.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, January 07, 2005 2:08 AM
Subject: Red hot cat. converter

I have just started an engine that I changed gaskets on and after awhile I
noticed that the catalitic converter is getting red hot and the muffler too.
What makes it to do it?  The engine is not hot at all.  The exhaust pipes
are cold enough to hold them by hand.  I am puzzled.
Zoltan