what is the opening behind and kind of under the manifold that looks like you could clamp a 1.5 inch hose to? Should I close this off as it caught fire on me? what is it even for? Thanks for any help you can give me.
Shane

That opening is the vent for the crankcase as you have no PCV system. There should have been a metal pipe that fit into the opening and it would have bent down the back side of the block, passenger side and extend down to the bottom of the oil pan. I could send a picture of mine as it is off the car right now.

Yes please send a pic if you have one. And do you have any idea why it caught fire? Could it be bad head gaskets?