Looking for Some Help - What is this part?

Hey all,
I've got a 1978 CJ5 that I'm working on fixing up and there's a part that I cannot figure out a name for, nor find in any engine diagrams. I've searched for hours and have been unable to come up with a solution.

The piece is a sort of steel tubular manifold/rail (about the size of brake line) that bolts with Banjo style connectors onto the engine manifold at several locations. I don't have any pictures from my actual jeep, but after scouring the internet, I managed to find one blurry photo that shows the a similar enough piece.

Here's my questions:
1. What is this called?
2. What does it do? (I believe it's part of the emissions system)
3. Where can I possibly get a new one?

Definitely appreciate everyone help!!

Thanks.

 

Your description is hard for me to pinpoint. But, I believe your are referring to the Air Injection Tubes. These tubes blow air into the combustion chambers from the air pump to cool the exhaust valves. This will protect the valves from burning up as the low lead gas that came in around that time made the combustion chambers run hot. It was interesting during those years the first thing some guys would do would be to remove that air pump thinking it hurt performance. You might find replacement parts at one of the big box 4wd outfits or a junkyard or even make your own.

 

Jim,
Thanks for the reply. Really appreciate it. Did the picture show up for you? I uploaded a photo with some little arrows that I sketched in to try and highlight the piece I'm talking about. I've included it again in this post as an attachment. Your answer definitely sounds reasonable though. I've heard similar things from people I've spoken with along the lines of "Eh, just remove it. Take it off. You don't need it." Unfortunately, that wasn't good enough for me. It's there for a reason and I'm pretty sure the manufacturer didn't just make up an unnecessary part!

In the meantime, I'll do some research on Air Injection Tubes!

Thanks again.

 

My 81 CJ, which I was told has a 78 engine has the remnants of those tubes from where they were cut off and welded shut, I was wondering why the exhaust manifold bolts have an odd-shaped weld on top. I'm new to CJs but I can say this engine has been running like this for many years. The compression is good and the engine runs fine, as long as the carburetor is cooperating, but that's for another post. It doesn't seem likely that the air would be pumped into the combustion chamber to cool the exhaust valves as that would effectively lean the mixture. Wouldn't it more likely pump air into the exhaust port, as the ports seem to be attached to the exhaust manifold bolts?