Hello all,
I picked up a 1980 SA a few months ago and have been slowly getting acquainted with it mechanically.

By the first picture, am I safe in saying that the rats nest has been removed from my car already? (It looks like somebody welded a flange shut)

From what I understand, the three leads from inside my air filter box lead to the air pump, a "hot air hose" and an idle compensator valve....
Currently none of these are hooked up.

Can all three of these now be blocked off since my rats nest is gone?
What does/did the idle compensator do?
What is the hot air hose?

Thanks!
Kam

 

Forgot the pictures:

 

I know loads of you have ridden yourselves of your rats nests.....
Anybody to chime in?