Glowing Cat

["T. Keith Vezina" <tkvezina@bellsouth.net>]

I have a '76 B that has been giving me fits lately.  While trying to track
down the causes of the engine's refusal to idle the other night, I noticed
that the catalytic converter and the first 6" of exhaust pipe were glowing
red.  I removed the cat and discovered that the PO had knocked out all of
the catalyst.  If there is no catalyst left in the canister, what is causing
the overheating?