[submariner409]

Judging by the picture, and the amount of time the car sat, you need to replace the points, cap, rotor, wires, plugs, pull the carb and totally overhaul it because all the gaskets, seals, leather pump cups, etc. are toast. Coolant change. Oil, filter, air filter, fuel filter.

Might as well replace all belts, too. Pull everything apart, seal it up, and use Gunk engine cleaner, then start from scratch.

I'll bet that every rubber vacuum line needs replacement, too.

If that box in question is also attached to the side of the air filter housing, some sort of early rocker cover/crankcase ventilation system, and would make no difference in emissions UNLESS the flow was controlled by a rattle-type PCV valve, which would connect through a 5/8" ID rubber hose to a tit on the carb front base.