Intake Heat Control Valve

[sreilly77]

I have a '86 Thunderbird 3.8L with a rattling intake heat control valve. I cannot find the right replacement part anywhere. The car only has 39,000 miles and is only driven once a week or every other week.

Is this something that is really needed? I thought this part was only found on carbureted cars to keep the carb from freezing in cold temps. I do have TBI, which I guess is basically a carb-like setup with two fuel injectors, so may be that is why Ford put them on? Not sure.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you!