What is the center port in this 318 head?

[RogerDodger]

I pulled the intake and the center port is completely pluged on both sides. Does this have a purpose and should it be cleaned out?

[tan top]

supplies hot air to the to the intake , to make the  factory choke function on the original carburettor  correctly .as long as the heat riser is intact & working.  also help cold weather running ( aid fuel atomisation)

[Chryco Psycho]

if the car is always driven in warm weather it is better blocked , almost all small blocks seal themselves in there

[RogerDodger]

I guess I'll leave it alone then. Thanks.

[Plumcrazy]

I guess I'll leave it alone then. Thanks.

Clean them out and the ones in the intake or you will have cold engine driveability problems.

[Dodge69_440]

I blocked mine off on my old 318 with a thin piece of aluminum.  Never seemed to have any trouble running, but then and again I live in CA and never had to deal with cold driving conditions.  Had to warm the car up for little when I started it cold, but ran fine after that.  Also, my mechanic said I would get more power by blocking these off, is this true?  I would assume that the power would come from having a colder intake.

[John_Kunkel]

If the carb is stock and uses the original well-type choke thermostat the plugged port(s) will prevent proper choke operation.