What is this part?

[NVBigBlue]

OK before we begin....I know it is easier to tell what part I am trying to identify with photos.....but it's dark outside now....pictures ASAP! now on with the question.

 

I purchased a Japanese import engine about 10 years ago, and it has been sitting in my '81 wagon ever since (blown trans.....never fixed). So now I am going to put it into my sons '86 hatch. Pawing through the junkyard I have never seen the exact item I have on this import engine. This is my description: Oh this is a EA81.....

On the back of the passenger side head is a small canister about 2 1/2 inches in diameter, and 3 1/2 inches tall. It is metal (silver in color) and has a lid attached to it with 3 snap-over clips (like you'd have on an air cleaner). It has a metal pipe (about 1/2 inch) that runs from the bottom of the canister to a threaded hole on the rear of the head near the bottom. On the top of the canister (the lid) there is a hose (rubber....about 1/2 inch) that runs up to a barb on the side of the lower aircleaner housing.

I have a feeling this must be some type of EGR thingy. I've never opened the canister for fear of NOT being able to get it back together for some reason. Now I'm asking this because we are in the process of getting this engine ready to drop in his hatch....and....we've acquired the parts needed to convert this engine over to SPFI so there's a lot of stuff being removed. I'm wondering if this thing needs to be rebuilt, cleaned, replaced or if it can be removed. I'll take a picture and post it up as soon as I can.

Thanks,

NV

[Snowman]

It's the air suction valve. It must be removed if you convert to SPFI, because extra air put into the exhaust will mess with the oxygen sensor.

[Handtool]

Kinda sounds like an air suction valve. Emissions stuff.

 

Edit: Doh! Beat me to it.

[NVBigBlue]

Whoa! Way fast. Thanks. I like the idea of removing it......less stuff = more engine bay room.

NV