Today i started up my 84 gsl took it out of my garage did about a 2 foot peel out. then i was just sitting there then i got smoke coming from under my car and my cat is on fire then i turn it off then put the cat fire out with a hose. start it back up and a have a very bad idle it goes up and down very fast and i dont know if it is because i am running low on gas or if my cat is done or is my motor going to blow (it has over 240k on it)

PLEASE HELP ME FIND MY PROBLEM

 

Is there anything leaking on the cat?

 

Check your timing...

 

some gear oil probobly got spilled on the cat but would that cause a bad idle ?

 

clogged cat can cause fire and rough idling.

 

so i gusse i should take my cat out and go from there right ?

 

if you don't get tested for emissions, get rid of it

 

sounds like a clogged cat to me, too. however, checking underneath the car for oil that gets splashed while moving from a leaking engine or transmission is not good for fire safety either. so you might want to address any major leaks, too.

 

i get tested for emissions so i got to get a new cat .....anybody know of a good high flow cat for my car?

 

Okay, but before you run out for a new cat, please check your timing. If you lost your lead ignition, or if your timing is retarded (firing too late) it will roast your exhaust in no time. Only takes a minute to eliminate this as a cause, but could save you lots of $$$...

 

ok i will check the timing first but how

 

get a workshop manual (or print a .pdf one)
clean the main pulley
locate the timing marks
get a timing light
use it

OR

take it to someone that knows what to do.

 

You can get a pretty decent electronic timing light for $60-70 at the autostore and it's well worth it.

 

Any news on this yet? How's your timing?