<VV> Catalytic Converter for Corvair

[FrankCB at aol.com]

Craig is correct.  The catalyst will overheat  and the converter will clog.  
I wouldn't use a catalytic converter on a  Corvair unless it had a carefully 
calibrated EFI system already installed to  maintain the A/F at stoichiometric 
(or leaner) most of the time.
    Besides, where do you live that your Corvair has to  pass a State (or 
local) emission test?
    Frank Burkhard
 
 
In a message dated 3/25/2008 2:06:10 AM Eastern Daylight Time,  
nicolcs at aol.com writes:

Craig  opines:
The typical catalytic converter converts CO and HC to CO2 and H20,  assuming
the components are fed from an engine that's running neither rich  nor lean
but in exact 14.8:1 ratio of fuel to air.  Corvairs are not  calibrated to
run at this stoichiometric ratio.  Usually, they are  relatively rich.  This
puts the cat into the business of burning the  excess HC, which is what
creates the "rotten egg" smell (H2SO4?).   After a steady diet of excessive
HC, the catalyst's substrate will melt,  fuse, and clog the exhaust.  There's
also a fire hazard, especially  when they're fed excess HC, which is why cats
have a heat shield on the  upper side. Excessive backpressure can burn
exhaust valves too. 

'68  and '69 smog engines might have the best chance of all years for this  to
work 'cause the carburetors have more accurate mixture control.   Since
you're a pioneer, keep us posted!  The only other Corvair I've  heard of with
a cat has a 4.3V6!
Craig Nicol







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