88 cooling etc

[dslocum]

i recently replaced my air filter with a K&N unit. when installing i found a long piece of plastic loose under the air intake. i looks like this could reduce the flow into the air intake, but i'm not sure what it is or if i should remove it. it is quite loose and can be slid under the intake or out to block the flow from the bottom. 2nd question is thermostat removal in my 88. the pix in a Chilton manual makes it look easy, but the actual top hose intake manifold looks to be near impossible to remove and get the stat out. is there a show-and-tell site on the web with an explanation in baby talk for us vette beginners on stat removal?
dick

 

[Ken]

C4 technical. Not LT-4 related. I'm moving it.

 

[89Steve]

The long piece of plastic is a water deflector, it should be there. If you loosen the plenum you should be able to get to the stat.