what is this for? i think it has something to do with the egr system.

is there something missing here? maybe this is why my car is so thirsty for gas all the time!

Yea, its the EGR connector. Whats missing is a tiny piece of sponge, thats all.

where does this mount to? there is a bracket on the bottom of it to mount it remotely nearby where it is hanging in my engine compartment.

The bracket is usually mounted with the diversed coil bracket. Its my guess that the base manifold was upgraded, and it no longer fits due to the larger casting. (if it was indeed replaced).

85?
There's supposed to be a bracket on that part, that attaches to a bracket on the manifold at the rearmost 2 holes on that side. No big deal though, its not going anywhere.

Are you sure about the sponge air filter? I rebuilt my 87 350tpi and plugged in one of my hoses into that. Is that wrong?

There should be an electrical connector, that a plug from the harness plugs into, (2) vacuum ports, one goes to the underside of the T/B, and the other goes to the EGR valve itself. I know that the sponge is supposed to be there, where the clips are, because I have a brand new one, still in the box, and there is a small, black, square,sponge filter there. Why its there, Im really not sure.

Tom is dead on with what he's been telling you about this EGR solenoid. Only 2 vac lines on the front, and the electrical connector on the rear. The other port is a "vent" to bleed of the unused/un-needed vacuum. The sponge on there is suppsed to be a filter to keep the port from getting clogged up (or someone thinking it's another vac port that needs a hose connected to it LOL)

Thanks for the clarification, Vern. I knew it had to be put there for a reason, but I was not quite sure.

Cool, thats what I wanted to know as well, One question remains... Which port gets the TB hose and which gets the EGR? I'm sure it won't work correctly if they are backwards.