Clean or gut catalytic converter?

Hi all...

I'm starting a new thread after finally diagnosing a performance problem (see Dreaded bucking/stumbling problem...)

I've determined that the converter is plugged. After a great suggestion in the previous thread I removed the upstream O2 sensor and took it for a short run. Engine runs like a champ with the sensor removed but wouldn't rev past 3000rpm before. After everything else I've done, I'm confident that I've found the problem.

After the test run I found shiny metal particles scattered throughout the engine bay...presumably blown out of the top of the cat by the exhaust. Does this indicate that the converter is beyond trying to clean it?

Is it possible to clean the cat by pouring spraying some kind of solution in through the O2 sensor port?

Or should I just jump straight to gutting the inside of it...harder and messier but if 'cleaning' is a waste of time so be it.

Either way my son wants to sell the car soon so he's not going to want to spend $300-400 on a new cat.

Any thoughts are very much appreciated...

K

For anyone fighting a problem with severe lack of power and/or misfiring...I highly recommend you look into the cat being plugged. Take the O2 sensor out as a test....LOUD but it will definitely tell you if the cat is plugged.
I gutted the inside of the cat (for now) and I can't believe how much power this little engine puts out. Can never ran so strong.