I finally got my 84 380Se running with the install of a new cap. It doesnt run very well at all! Below 2000rpm it shakes and bucks and will stall at idle. Over 2000 rpm it seems to smooth out, but doesnt seem to run strong. Here is the strange part. After 15 min of running the exhaust pipe after the cat convertor was glowing red for 2-3 feet!! BRIGHT RED! What can this be caused from? The original problem happened at highway speed and the car just died. I couldnt get it going until I replaced the cap.
Any ideas??

Gas cars are not my strong point but if the cat is red it sounds like it is getting to much fuel. I would suspect that it is running very rich.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

It's running way too rich. Check the engine timing.

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Regards

Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.

What is the long term effect of running rich - maybe not to the point of a Cat glowing red, but just too rich?

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Bernard
Dallas, TX
89' 300SEL 228K
01' E320 48k

One other thing to consider - perhaps the cat is actually clogged? Check for "normal" exhaust pressure at the tailpipe. Try partially or even completely sealing the exhaust pipe with a piece of metal or stiff cardboard. If doing so has little to no negative effect, the cat may be clogged.

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08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280

Running too rich with eventually detroy the cat.

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2002 G500 74K
1998 E300 200K and rising
1995 S600 73k


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