Plug for Hot Air Duct

[kiznarsh]

My '79 has the exhaust manifold outlet for hot air that routes back into the air cleaner ducting. Right now there's a heater hose that's somewhat doing the job, but it's in bad shape and I actually just want to take it off. But I don't want hot air coming out of the exhaust shield entering the engine bay, so I want to plug that outlet.

I could probably find a rubber plug with a wing nut on it at a hardware store or through McMaster, but unless the rubber is made to withstand high temps, it won't be a good option.

So I'm just curious if anyone else has found a good option for plugging the outlet? I plan on leaving the inlet port for the air cleaner open just to get more air going in.

Thanks.

[boogiedude]

That duct doesnt actually pump any hot air out of it, the suction of the carb pulls the hot air through the air filter just like it does with the outlet in the housing facing forward. Plugging it won't really make a difference IMHO and I doubt the duct is going to have any measurable effect on anything in the engine bay as far as heat goes.

[kiznarsh]

Yeah that makes sense. The exhaust gas should actually pull air through the port so it'll be sucking air from the engine bay. Simply removing it is definitely the easiest thing to do and I'll just put it back on for smog inspections.