I did pull the passenger side coils from the plugs and they looked pretty nice around the boot. No deformities or burn marks to be found. The more this happens, the more I realize it very well may be an exhaust restriction, which could really only be a cat when these temperatures are reached, I assume.
If that's the case, how do I test the cats if they don't get hot enough to glow in the dark? Would an IR thermometer tell me what I need to know or is there another way to do it?
Thanks for the tips guys. I've put too much work into this old girl to give up now
-Randy