What is it?

[tlicitra]

I found this part located inside the air cleaner on my sons' 1973 Mustang fastback. It has a 351 Cleveland in it. I've switched over to a RAM air hood. This part was on the inside of the old air cleaner. It had 2 vacuum lines running to it that had been cut off. I believe it's a air cleaner temperature sensor, but not 100% sure. So, what is it? Do I need it? What does it do? Where do the vacuum lines run to ? Lastly, if I need it, any idea where I can pick up a new one? Thanks to all!! (Please let me know if you can't see the attached photos. It's my first time trying to post pics.)

 

[72HCODE]

bimetal switch for the air cleaner base, it activates the flapper that switches air from the heat riser to the colder air intake on the snorkel.

one side goes to the vaccum motor on the snorkel the other goes to full manifold vacuum on the vaccum tree off the intake manifold.

yup temp sensor basically.

it helps warm up the engine faster.

new one would be NOS or used of one of our vendors or ebay.

 

[jbojo]

I am using one like this on my setup.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-1970-1971-1972-FORD-351C-AIR-CLEANER-BASE-SENSOR-/390899281924?hash=item5b0369b004&vxp=mtr

 

[tlicitra]

I am using one like this on my setup.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-1970-1971-1972-FORD-351C-AIR-CLEANER-BASE-SENSOR-/390899281924?hash=item5b0369b004&vxp=mtr

I saw these on Ebay, but it's very different than mine. Mine does not have a nipple at the top. Instead it has a slot that runs all the way through both sides as the pics illustrate. Do you just leave the top nipple open?