1984 305, AIR pump Q's

Let's say, for testing purposes only, I l removed the AIR pump "fan belt".

OK, no more air at warmup in the exhaust, and maybe 1/2 hp gain.

Next, I plug all vacuum hoses and remove the TVSS switch, and put my mechanical temperature gauge sender there. (Putting it in the thermostat housing, where it is, is sort of pointless unless I am towing a trailer in Phoenix in August up a steep hill...)

Would I need to remove the AIR pipes and plug the holes on the manifold, or is this system "fail/safe" in that possible backfires and other things are prevented from "backflowing" if the AIR pump no longer spins?

Thank you!

This was done on mine when i bought it, they removed the air pump, capped the vaccum openings on the carb, and removed the air injection pipes too. i got brass caps to plug the manifold where the pipes used to be because they just cut the pipes but left then in. its all just emmissions, i would have left all of it on but since we dont have testing here in FL everone removes most of their emmissions stuff.

unless I am towing a trailer in Phoenix in August up a steep hill

Hmm <scratches chin> ... 38-year Phoenix native here. I don't recall seeing any steep hills of any consequence anywhere within 30 miles of here!

Hmm <scratches chin> ... 38-year Phoenix native here. I don't recall seeing any steep hills of any consequence anywhere within 30 miles of here!

OK I was being facetious, but having a relative in Tempe, and having done the Route 66 trip, I remember a Jerome , the 2 mile-almost-straight-up-trip to Sandia Peak, and of course three's Oatman for a hill-haul. :)

Thanks for the input - I just want to free that sender port, and figure that even if IN ever does smog chex (one reason I moved from PA) , they won't be doing it at cold idle, and I can always put the belt back on and "mock-up' the system for looks... :)