Anyone else ever have this happen!? I was driving my 86 4Runner (Rosa) up the road the other day when it suddenly got really loud in the cab. Got home and found this:

 

Huh. You sure you don’t have catalytic converter bandits?
well, as i like to say, there’s two kinds of people in the world: those with mig welders and those without mig welders. Zzzt.

 

I was about to say, maybe you walked out and scared off the 'cat burglar' that's too clean a break to be accidental I think! At least you have a good clean surface to patch, mine is broken in the same place but right at the flange. One day I hope to find a flange insert but for now it's getting wrapped

 

Yep, it's coming off today and getting welded back together. I'll post pictures when I get done. I just need to get this one to pass smog so I can register it, then I can start the full resto swap. If it's not one thing it's another... haha!

 

Well, upon closer inspection, I found a cut down steam as well. Looks like the cat was a prime target. Most likely in the parking lot where it was parked for sale before I bought it.

 

yeah mine was (successfully) robbed of many parts while parked for sale, ECU, shift knob, Coil/igniter, A/C idle valve, attempted robbery of the air flow meter, hell they probably stole the rear bumper too, hate a damned thief

 

Nothing worse than a thief! Makes me angry just thinking about it.
Well, I discovered today that Rosa has an after market header and down pipe to the cat. I would have had to pull the whole header to reweld the cuts so I decided to go the easy route and just tape them for now. I just need it to pass smog so I can get the registration. I also discovered she's leaking oil from the timing cover and oil pump and oil pan and the transmission and fluid from the steering pump and and and... But she drives. I'll replace the timing chain and that'll fix most of the leaks. Then I'll start in on Blanca. Whoa boy, here we go!

 

[QUOTE=HSHSURF;52485080]Well, upon closer inspection, I found a cut down steam as well. Looks like the cat was a prime target. Most likely in the parking lot where it was parked for sale before I bought it.

The pipe wall ends where it was cut are as rusted as the pipe exterior surface. Looks like it happened a while back.

 

Who knows. Probably took my bumpy road to dislodge it. It's fixed enough for now. On to the next fix on the very long laundry list.

 

all that damage for a cat that's worth about $5 at the recycler.

You know how many catalytic converters i replaced under warranty in 25 years at a Toyota Service dept? Maybe two. I remember only one, but I doubled the number just in case.
So when some slimeball shows up at the recycler with 25 Prius converters (and clearly removed with a sawzall) somebody should call the cops. Why recyclers aren't targeted as part of the problem total escapes my comprehension.

with all the crap manufacturers are loading on new vehicles these days to raise profits a f***** shield at least could be seen as a worthy add-on. More than door edge guards(crap) or a chrome tailpipe extension.

 

If that's the factory cat whatever you do NOT throw it away. I'd rather have a 25 year old Toyota cat than a brand new magnaflow. You'll never, ever have a better cat than the oem one.

 

Don't worry, it's still there.

 

I still have my 86 OEM cat on my truck. A few years back when installing a new one piece Bosal tailpipe, I removed the cat to inspect it for any blockage. There was a small amount of core meltage (not sure that's a word) in the center, but basically clear. Just knocked off that shallow depth meltage and reinstalled it. Goes better now. Still no leaks in the shell and flange welds are solid.

I did this as replacing it with an aftermarket cats was a disaster. I ended up ordered from three different manufactures and all were POS for qaulity. One had the flanges welded with the bolt holes horizontal, but the flange was canted front to back so extreme it would not line up. One had the flanges squared-up, but the were both rotated opposite directions off horizontal so would not line up. The last one didn't have the flanges welded at all, just lose on the pipe with flared pipe ends as if a compression fit. Yes, OEM is best.

Had same issues with aftermarket Power steering gear. The three units input shaft had correct # of splines but shaft OD too large to fit OEM rag joint. The Parts Store manager personally delivered the last one as he could believe none fit. He saw. Ended up getting a used OEM Toyota salvage unit for 1/2 price and it slid right on. Now 8 years later and still working like new no leaks.

 

Yes I agree OEM is always better! I actually just re modified my LSPV spring and boots because they discounted it. Nothing a little spot weld and some liquid electrical tape can't fix. I did have to break down and get an after market LSP valve though. We'll see when it arrives how it does.