Those are air injection tubes that the tree huggers who ran the EPA insisted on having for emission control purposes back when that engine was a daily driver. Originally, the engine had an air pump and a rat's nest of tubing connected to those ports. Go ahead and get rid of whatever's sticking into the ports, any way you need to. I'd suggest a Sawzall or something similar.

If the cylinder head happens to have the intake manifold cast integral with it, use that head for a boat anchor and find yourself a pre-smog head with a separate intake to use.
Jerry


"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!