383 mopar cast exhaust Flap????

[wantone]

Hi Gents!
  My 383 is a 71 and I think the motor is probably from an older model car w/o any emissions controls.  That said, I think the exhaust manifold on the passenger side was from a later car as there is a Flap that swings around.   What the heck is this and should it be open or closed considering that I don't have any exhaust provision?

[1 Wild R/T]

Thats a heat control valve (heat riser) for warming the intake manifold to improve fuel distribution on cold days (common in Lake Forest)..... Been around since at least the fifties... 

[wantone]

Do I leave that beauty open or closed?    Yank it off?

[73440]

Is the bimetallic spring still attached?
Better to be stuck open or removed than stuck closed.
I have seen the manifolds for sale that have the valve removed and the shaft holes filled.

http://www.imperialclub.com/Repair/Exhaust/riser.htm

http://www.earlytimeschapter.org/manifoldheatcontrolvalve.html 

[jason340]

If it is working properly it should be closed when the engine is cold and when the engine heats up the flapper should be open, Hope this helps.

[wantone]

Thanks gents!    Given that i'm in Cali- i'm going to wait to see if it's open when warm... If not, i'm tossing that into the ocean.

[Chryco Psycho]

I leave the cross shaft in so it will look stock but remove the plate  no need for it unless you are driving it in winter conditions