My EGR valve is clogged, have questions

[Lonesome7.3]

The 87 Ranger I recently acquired has a 2.9 and it ran really rough. I have found several possibilities but I have not put it back together yet. One thing I am addressing is the EGR valve. The port in the air plenum was so clogged I needed a half inch drill bit to clear it. It was clogged all the way through. I pulled the EGR valve off and it is in good shape, but was clogged and I cleaned it as well. Then I found the tube that runs from the exhaust manifold to the EGR valve is also completely clogged. I get what the EGR valve does and how it works. However, I do not see how all these parts can get so clogged. What would cause this, and what kind of problems will the truck have has a result? I have deleted mechanical EGR valves on old trucks like this before; but is it a good idea?

 

[Zembonez]

EGR is an emissions issue. If it's open and the valve is bad, it may stall or run rough. Many people just block them off. Fine if they don't check emissions in your area. It would not pass here. They get carbon buildup over time. I have seen some that had complete blockage from it.

 

[Draenor]

EGR is an emissions issue. If it's open and the valve is bad, it may stall or run rough. Many people just block them off. Fine if they don't check emissions in your area. It would not pass here. They get carbon buildup over time. I have seen some that had complete blockage from it.

Block it off.

 

[Zembonez]

Weld it up!

 

[Lonesome7.3]

No emissions here. I plan to cut the cats off later. Sounds like it is getting gone then.