I have the 57 Oldsmobile 88 shop manual. It has a lot of detail in some areas and very little in others. I am wondering if I need the exhaust manifold heat control valve. Instead of a valve mine is equipped with a spacer. The car has lived in California for at least the past 50 years, but now being in Michigan (southeast), would it help with warm ups when temperatures may be close to freezing? I appreciate any thoughts on this question, David

 

No, you don’t need it. Most cut them out when they bind up.

 

It may help slightly with warm ups but probably not enough to really matter.

X2 on you don't need it and by not having it the chance of it sticking closed and being a restriction has been eliminated.