Classic/Antique Car Repair: 1988 dodge aries, front wheel bearings, emission control devices

Question
Hi
I don't know if you can ( or want to ) help me out, but what the heck..
I figured that this was worth a try.

I have a 1988 aries. 2.5 engine with an auto trans. The car evidently has sat for some time ( 4 years? ) When I got it .. it was not running. I have replaced many,
many parts on this car and also taken it to 4 mechanics and none of them seem to be able to diagnose the problem.

Here's what happens: The car starts up just fine. It will drive for about 10 miles and then it begins to lose power. Finally I have to pull over to the side of the road and turn the engine off. I can immeadiately restart it and then it will resume with full power. not a fuel pump. ( replaced twice ) not TBI (replaced) Not computer ( replaced) not cat. converter ( replaced ) not various hoses and emission control devices. ( replaced )

When I return home from en episode of driving it, THE FRONT WHEELS ARE VERY HOT!!
( the temp gauge says engine is operating at normal temperatures.)

I don't think that the front brakes are locking up. ( but I don't know that for certain ) I have not as yet looked at the front wheel bearings, but they are not making any noises as I would expect them to?

If I raise the front wheels off of the ground and run the car then I do not sense that the wheels get hot.  Is it possible that this is a transmission problem? (
I replaced the filter and put in the correct fluid as advised by Dodge dealships.)Doing a pressure test on the cylinders, I found that they are all within specs.
( I also replaced the head gasket )

I have been searching for a retired Dodge mechanic, with no success here in the Atlanta suburbs with which to confer as to if she/he has ever experienced such a
failure. So I'm writing to you in hopes that you might put me in touch with someone who may be knowledgeable about this automobile.

I spent years rebuilding engines, etc. . I have just not seen anything like this...and neither have any of the mechanics that I paid to diagnose the problem. I'm
hoping that you and your organisation might be able to put me into contact with someone who could advise me as to some area of failure in this car that I may have
missed. At this point I have pumped a considerable amount of moneies into this auto, but money in NOT the point. It has become a crazy puzzle to me that seems to make
no sense at all.

Thanks, David Rice
       3192 Westbrook Trace
       Lawrenceville, Ga. 30044
       770-317-7154


Answer
Sounds to me like an exact case of the collapse of the inner liner of the exhaust pipe.

You are building back pressure in your exhaust for the first 10 miles. Once you shut the engine off the problem relieves itself.

Have the entire exhaust checked from one end to the other. I imagine you will find some point at which the passage is down to 7/8 inch or less. Chrysler used a 2 wall pipe for a while that drove mechanics crazy. Some of their catalytic converters plugged solid from non use, but since you have checked that, we will stick with pipe wall collapse.

I have seen this problem absolute put their large RV motorhomes on the sidelines for weeks while mechanics changed every engine part available.

Try this and I believe you will find your problem.

Tires hot:only two things heat up the tires/wheels. Wheel bearings which can heat under load or tires rubber movement which can be exacerbated by under inflation or belt shifting.