Hmmm... reminds me that long ago (teenage years) I had a Rabbit once that
acted like, until one day I heard a "thwunk" (technical term) as if I shot
something out the tailpipe, at which point the car actually sprang forward
with newfound performance -- and a much different exhaust note.  I did in
fact suspect my co-workers of the potato trick, but the symptom came on too
slowly for that, and I later learned the cat was bad and muffler trashed
inside.

On Thu, May 25, 2017 at 9:54 AM John Rodgers <jrodgers113@gmail.com> wrote:

> Wow! Hadn't thought of that. Sort of like the 'ol potato up the tailpipe
> routine. Makes sense. Anytime you baffle down an exhaust system, whether
> car or chimney stack, you are going have a back pressure from hell that
> will affect power. Thanks for the reminder, guys!!
>
> John
>
> On May 25, 2017 08:22, "Jim Felder" <jim.felder@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Now I recall that son in law's Civic did the same thing. I thought it might
> be an auto transmission gone bad but t'was the cat.
>
> Jim
>
> On Thu, May 25, 2017 at 8:20 AM Larry Alofs <lalofs@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > I second Mark's idea about the cat.  I experienced symptoms the same as
> > yours when the insides of a cat had broken loose and turned sideways.
> >
> > Larry A.
> >
> >
> > On Wed, May 24, 2017 at 4:59 PM, John Rodgers <jrodgers113@gmail.com>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > Have a mysterious power loss on my new engine overhaul. It has run fine
> > > until two days ago. Now it won't pull your hat off your head.
> > >
> > > Engine runs fine. Starts easy, idle smoothly, runs smoothly at any rpm
> it
> > > is capable of turning. There is no spitting, missing or backfire. Just
> > > doesn't develop power to accelerate. Going up hill it just gets slower
> > and
> > > slower and slower, the rpm will drop to about 1500. Top speef is about
> 55
> > > mph. I han't checked the timing yet, but thats next.
> > >
> > > Suggestions???
> > >
> > > John
> > >
> >
>