My ex-Sierra 1.6 Pinto has a device near the carb with two electrical spades and three vacuum pipes. Mr Haynes says it's a throttle damper but doesn't say what it does, how or why.

Can anyone help ? Do I need it ?

So nobody knows ?

Unfortunately I don't know exactly what it is BUT........

the later 1.6 pintos were covered in emissions guff, all of which is best binned.

They all used the vacuum secondary carb, again best in the bin.

Fit a machanical secondary, Weber 32-36 DGAV carb, and you will be fine.

No need for any crappy pipes etc, and they are easy to set up