I just pulled mine off to replace the whole system. 1989 130,000 miles. The
inside is still intact, but the flanges have about disappeared with rust.

On Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 11:02 AM, Rocket J Squirrel <
camping.elliott@gmail.com> wrote:

> Assuming a properly-tuned engine, average driving habits, etc., how many
> miles could one expect the cat to normally last? Does time alone also age
> the thing? Say on a 1984 vehicle with 80,000 miles, for example.
>
> Putting together my muffler shopping list and don't want to buy a cat if I
> don't need one ($100 - $150 USD), and don't have the luxury to pull it and
> inspect it ahead of time.
>
> --
> Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
> 84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
> 74 Westrailia: (Ladybug Trailer company, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.)
> Bend, OR
> KG6RCR
>