Cracked Intake Manifold

Looking for any information on cracked intake manifold. Check system light came on we were told that catalytic converter needed to be replaced. Waited and drove it, light came off but engine overheated and now am told we have a cracked intake manifold and had nothing to do with the catalytic converter. Have also been told we cannot fix the manifold with out replacing catalytic converter. We don't know what to fix or think. Need feed back.

What year car?

The only intakes that crack are after 1996. This is a major problem and Ford will only replace fleet veichles for up to 70,000 miles. Rental or police.

The new ones have an aluminum crossover that prevents cracking.

The intake isn't to pricey but the labor is what hurts.

The engine must be running rich and getting unused fuel into the converter, but it may be as simple as a failed O2 sensor.

The catalytic converter is a emisson issue and by certain federal laws they must fix it if the know it to be inoperative.