Removed exhaust manifold and found something interesting

Seattle,
If you have single exhaust, that butterfly is supposed to act as a baffle. You wouldn't need it if you changed to dual exhaust and an electric choke.
Since you have the heads off, you could also block off those heat riser ports, partially or totally with fabricated metal pieces or intake manifold gaskets without a hole for that passage. Those are thicker though and would raise the intake manifold up a little, requiring the cork gaskets on the china rails. Totally blocking the heat riser ports would make the center of the intake manifold very cold but could reduce carb overheating.
Any other work planned for the heads?