i wouldn't worry about the cat until you get the motor fixed and the van running. otherwise, you may be wasting a bunch of money. the cat is not important right now and the leaky valve cover has nothing to do with your compression problems.
considering that its also got a dodge transmission in it, you may very well be looking at an engine repair that could cost far more than the van is worth. it could be head gasket, or it could be heads.
start with a compression test on all cylinders. write the numbers down.
remove the heads and head gaskets and look at them.
if the heads are cracked, you need new heads.
if the heads look ok, then take them to a machine shop for inspection/rebuild.
its probably not a rod or crank or piston problem. those would knock like hell.
you can't see head gasket problems unless you have overheating or water in the oil.
head gaskets only will cost you a couple of hundred.
rebuilding heads will cost you a few hundred.
new heads off ebay several hundred.
new cat from dealer will be several hundred. don't do that.
new universal cat is 1 or 2 hundred. don't do that until the damn thing runs.
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01 1500 Reg Cab 4wd 5.2 auto 3.55 285/75/16 nasta step bar tow hook sc3815 180 3923 trans cooler/filter posi-lok powertrax noslip timbren brite-box pioneer head rockford amp/speaker cobra cb firestick hughes plenum water pump timing chain oil pump rear seal front bearings brakes shocks cracked dash towing composting boat.
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