So I think these two components are part of the AIR smog system, and the Heater Control valve for the heater core. Can anyone confirm and let me know how how to remove it so I can free up engine bay space and make it look nicer?

Pic below

Thanks a ton.

 

That indeed is what they are. If you want to remove the AIR system just follow the lines to remove it all. The plastic piece on that box pops off, then there are 2 connectors to undo. Then underneath it is a pipe that goes from it to the pump, which is belt driven under the compressor. From there, just trash it all. Im thinking about it. And apparently to fill the holes in the manifold, you can use 1/4 NPT plugs. Or just get headers.
The one on the right is the heater control. Its vacuum operated, so it opens up and then coolant flows thru the core from what I understand. If you want to get rid of it, you can do like the 1995+ trucks do. Get a water pump for a truck with a 305/350. It has a port on the top where you can screw in a water nipple and run that to the outlet of the heater core. Then the inlet of the heater core to the front of the intake. Then cap off the vacuum hose so you dont have a leak, and then find a way to cap off the outlet that runs from the radiator (underneath the fill cap) to the waterpump. The truck pumps dont have those lines underneath the pump, it constantly flows coolant thru the heater core. So the result should be coolant flowing from the intake into the heater core, out the heater core into the top of the new waterpump.
Or if you dont even want heat, get that same truck pump, and run a short hose from the intake to the top of the waterpump. Itll be like a foot long. And itll just circulate coolant thru the hose and skip the heater core completely.