CO Test Pipe

While removing the engine from my MY84 I, of course, broke the CO test pipe coming from the right exhaust manifold. How critical is this pipe? As the fitting in the manifold would not budge, I have drilled out the main part of the fitting - no I haven't damaged the threads in the manifold yet and did not drill all the way through the bottom. I will probably tap out the hole and install a new CO test pipe but was just wondering. If it's not really needed, could I just tap it and put a plug in the hole?

Short answer: yes.

I know of no real use for the test pipes. Plug it.

What Wally said.

Thanks guys. That was my gut feeling also.

Mine are pinched off