Oracle 7.3.4-8.1.7-9.2 Gateway performance

We are using Oracle 8.1.7 as a gateway between 7.3.4 and 9.2 for updates and inserts.
We are experiencing problems with what appears to be the 8.1.7 server. After several hours of updates (a few thousand updates) the response begins to deteriorate and becomes unacceptable.

All that is in the 8.1.7 database is synonyms and dblinks.

Has anyone experienced this problem?

Thanks!
Ron

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