Rick,
I have a 1978 MGB with the catalytic converter on the exhaust manifold (right
under the carburetor!). I don't know if this will help, but if my mixture is
too rich, my cat will glow cherry red! Typically, the automatic choke on the
Zenith-Stromberg will stick and cause an extremely rich mixture. This is a
known problem with the MGB, especially as the carburetor gets older. (Also,
if
my float bowl leaks it drips directly onto the catalytic converter...not so
good!)
Anyway, you want to make sure your choke is working properly and the mixture
is not too rich. Do you have an air-pump on the engine? Make sure that is
functioning properly also. On my MGB the air rail was completely clogged with
carbon. (I couldn't pass the NJ emissions inspection until I replaced the
catalytic converter and fixed the air injection system.)
You might also want to look into a new high-performance catalytic converter.
Perhaps one of those will help. Here in NJ, where they are very strict about
emissions, I don't think they cared WHERE my converter was, as long as I had
one. I doubt your cat under the car should be a worry, since that's where
your smog guys expect it too be anyway.
Good luck!
Donny v
1978 MGB
In a message dated 9/6/2003 11:20:25 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
rick@reineman.com writes:
> Subj: Triumph 1500 Catalytic Converter caused fire
> Date: 9/6/2003 11:20:25 AM Eastern Daylight Time
> From: <A HREF="mailto:rick@reineman.com";>rick@reineman.com</A>
> To: <A
HREF="mailto:british-cars@autox.team.net";>british-cars@autox.team.net</A>
> Sent from the Internet
>
>
>
> Just picked up a 1978 Spitfire that the previous owner had put headers
> on. That moved the catalytic converter farther down the pipe just under
> the transmission cover (it's a California car). The factory solution
> was to put the Cat right under the exhaust manifold.
>
> I had to have the thing smog checked. Since the new laws in this
> (f'ing) state require a dynamo test the car was running in place at
> around 35mph for some time. The catalytic converter got so hot it
> ignited the carpet that's over the transmission cover.
>
> I can get new carpet and the smog guys will help pay, that's not the
> problem. My question for the list is if there is some sort of
> commercial solution available? Or are there lessons learned out there
> (besides don't live in Calif.) that will save me from learning them the
> hard way myself. The flaming Spitfire was a lesson I could have lived
> without.
>
> I had intended to take it to a local muffler shop and talk to them about
> heat shields, better muffler etc. Thought I'd give the newsgroup a shot
> first though. Thanks in advance for replies.
>
> Rick
/// british-cars@autox.team.net mailing list
/// or try http://www.team.net/cgi-bin/majorcool
/// Archives at http://www.team.net/archive
|