<< I was talking to a auto parts shops owner <<<SNIP>>>He suggested drilling a
hole through the cat (catalytic converter, sic), through the hcomb about an
inch in diameter. I am willing to try this if it will prolong the life of the
heads. Is this an okay procedure to do?  >>

No. Your parts shop pal is ignorant and selfish. If you think drilling out
your cat is okay, why not start throwing trash out the window, and draining
your oil onto the ground?

I like clean air and I like clean skies.

I've seen friends and family physically ill with asthma and repritory
allergies due to the revolting, putrid air around Washington, D.C. Back in the
60's/70's I was disallowed from "recess" back in grade school (in Southern,
CA) when the air was too polluted to allow kids to exercise in it. That sucks.

Maybe you live somewhere where the air is still relatively clean.  Maybe you
beleive that the atmospere can absorb anything that man throws at it. If you
want empirical evidence that it can't, spend a day in any automobile-laden,
third-world city where emmission standards are nil... Mexicali/Calexico is a
good example. Mexico City is the worst. The air is visibly disgusting. Any
physical exersion will make you feel ill within minutes. Within a day you'll
have a splitting headache and burning, red eyes.

If the heads on your van are cracking, find out the real reason. If your
catalytic converter is the problem, replace it. They are cheap, a couple
hundred $$ tops. Don't flick your cigarette butts out the window, and don't
promote air pollution. Please.

Thanks,

gmbulley
cary, nc