There are several types of system controls that use this part to control the final action of the spark advance. They are all triggered into operation by an ambient temp switch that closes 12 volt power to this part to conrol vacuum routing to the distributor.
Yes you can remove the system and supply vacuum to a single advance distributer control from a ported vacuum source at the carb. The timing advance should be checked to ensure the advance is within reasonable limits so there is not to much at the wrong time and rpm nor to little. I can't tell you at the moment what or how until you would make the change and see how it works. Or duplicate a car that does not have but the simple system. The reason some cars have these PIA features is the government emmissions regulation back then. Even today it depends on where you live and the state rules you have to live with. Here in Pa were lucky now. Only cars from 1996 up will be haveing emissions testing. That leaves everybody to have a good time moding cars 95 back now. The new testing is call OBDII/III. That means (on board diagnostics 2 or 3). All cars have a standard plug that the testing equipment access and reads what is stored in the computer for codes and sends the digital data to a central state computer for record.
96 and up??? That is nuts I was happy when CAL made 73 and older exempt. I would love to have my 86 mustang gt smog exempt, boy what I could do with it then!!