1973 302 stock egr valve and spacer

[stubble88]

While I was putting the new Motocraft carb on I noticed the spacer with the egr
Valve was black in one corner and cracked. It used to catch fire with the old carb on there. I'm winderibg if this is why?
Do I even need this whole thing? This is preventing me from starting my bronco.
Thanks

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B3U28mtGNoVCc3hhYzBhblhmcVU

 

[stubble88]

Can I just plug the two egr holes on the plate and slap it back on there? Removing the egr

 

[jckkys]

The '73 intake had a round EGR hole, if I recall correctly. A threaded pipe plug should seal it. If the spacer is cast iron, you could put an EGR delete plate on the back of the spacer. The aluminum spacers sometimes erode a hole in the side, so check it out. The fire is something else. That requires gasoline and an ignition source. Engine oil is difficult to ignite, even if it's heated.