Hi guys, I have a 99 Ram 1500 Sport, 5.2. Here's the problem:
I was driving home last night and after leaving a stop sign I immediately had no power. There is a metal clanking sound, sounds like metal is being thrown agaist metal. I had to put my flashers on to get home and could not get above 15 mph. When you hit the gas it just bogs down. The truck was very hot, but didn't overheat. Now the truck starts, but almost dies out when I give it gas in park and I can still hear the metal rattling noise. Does this sound like a simple plugged cat problem or am I looking at something more severe like a valve, or at the worst a tranny?

 

Problem solved, plugged cat. I removed the pre cat O2 sensor and it ran much better. Put it back in and it ran like crap.

New problem: The bolts to the headers are just spinning on top and there is no head to grab onto. Any idea how to get them off? I'm contemplating cutting the pipes just to get it off.

 

sounds like u might have to if im picturing this right, and then atleast you could get headers

 

there should be a locking tab on the top of the collector... if it's busted off you'll need to put a socket on it to hold it in place so you can remove the nut.

 

Have you replaced the cat yet? If not, to blow it out you can take it on the highway and tuen O/D off and go about 70-80 and blow it right out. I was on my way to a Red Sox game when mine clogged and that is what i did and i got it replaced with a magnaflow high flow the next day.

 

That would be ideal, but with the O2 sensor in, I can't go over 15 mph. I'm cutting it off as soon as I get my hands on a Sawzall.

 

You can get special sockets to remove f'ed up bolts. I got a set of them at advanced, they work great for me.

 

Nope, there is no bolt head on top, it's flush like a carriage bolt with nothing to grab onto. Good thing we have 3 vehicles so it can sit until I get to it. I sure do miss driving my truck though.