Why don't you just cut off the shaft and remove the riser and faghedaboudit?
No can do. That would put full-on heat to the intake and result in horrible performance once the engine reaches operating temperature.
It is possible to just leave it alone if it is stuck in the closed position, but it would not work well in cold weather, and will lead to unburned gas pouring down past the rings while the intake is cold, leading to ruining your oil, and destroying bearings before their time.
Maybe you are referring to the V8 style one on the passenger side exhaust pipe below the manifold.
Carl
