RETRO 1974: Refilling Catalytic Converters At The Shop

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RETRO 1974: Refilling Catalytic Converters At The Shop

1974 saw the first catalytic converters placed on vehicles and the use of unleaded gas. While Chrysler went with biscuits, GM, Ford and AMC went with beads. The beads were designed to be serviceable. With special tools, the platinum-covered beads could be removed through a hole and replaced with fresh beads if the owner poisoned the converter with leaded gas. These are the beads that were in the converter. If the converter was damaged internally, the beads might escape out the tail pipe.

Andrew Markel
By Andrew Markel
Andrew Markel is the director of content for Brake & Front End magazine. He has been with Babcox Media for 20 years. He is a technician and former service writer and holds several automotive certifications from ASE and ­aftermarket manufacturers. He can be reached at [email protected].
Published:

BRAKE & FRONT END, November 1974:
1974 saw the first catalytic converters placed on vehicles and the use of unleaded gas. While Chrysler went with biscuits, GM, Ford and AMC went with beads.
The beads were designed to be serviceable.

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With special tools, the platinum-covered beads could be removed through a hole and replaced with fresh beads if the owner poisoned the converter with leaded gas.

These are the beads that were in the converter. If the converter was damaged internally, the beads might escape out the tail pipe.

C013 – Catalytic Converter. GM: A Century of Innovation. Technology Innovations.

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