Catalytic Converter Intestines

[prossett]

What's inside a 1983 K5 cat? Is it the little round balls?

Where I live it's not required (yet), and I'm guessing it's pretty gummed up after 22 years!

I see there's some sort of a cap under it, and I'm thinking of taking out the insides.

Would you say I can clean out the insides pretty easily or should I just pull it off and replace it with straight pipe?

 

[sled_dog]

they like to blow out on there own, but as for cleaning out the insides, you could get some of them through that plug. Straight pipe would just be an easier route. And yes you have the little balls.

 

[prossett]

Thanks - so, from your post I assume the inside of the cat is like divided up into different chambers? Shame, I was hoping I could pull out that plug and the whole thing would empty out.

Hmmmm... if I can find a piece of pipe nice and old-looking so it'll blend in with the existing exhaust I can just weld it in.