Weird EGR? I'm clueless

[ford4thot]

1992 4.0l 2wd ext cab manual.

What is this? I'm putting Hedman headers on. Left side has no EGR sensor. Just now getting to right side and I noticed this weird extension to the intake. What exactly is this and is this necessary? The new header does not have anything like that.

Would it be okay to cap the opening in the intake? The only other thing I see connected to it is a small line up to the air box?

That's weird...

 

[RonD]

That is the air pre-heater, so engine gets warmer air pulled from around the exhaust manifold after cold starting and warm up.

They are often left off, plug the vacuum hose.
The vacuum is use to switch intake air(air filter box) from the cold air intake(CAI) in rad support to the heated air from around the exhaust manifold, as engine gets warm it switches back to CAI

These have been used since the 1950's, the thin metal halves on the manifold usually rust out and start rattling, so are removed.

Only need to plug vacuum hose, so warmed air vent isn't used

 

[ford4thot]

That is the air pre-heater, so engine gets warmer air pulled from around the exhaust manifold after cold starting and warm up.

They are often left off, plug the vacuum hose.
The vacuum is use to switch intake air(air filter box) from the cold air intake(CAI) in rad support to the heated air from around the exhaust manifold, as engine gets warm it switches back to CAI

These have been used since the 1950's, the thin metal halves on the manifold usually rust out and start rattling, so are removed.

Only need to plug vacuum hose, so warmed air vent isn't used

Awesome thanks for the concise explanation!