What the h3ll ... throw my two fen into the ring.

The pics are indeed hard to see, but the right hand pic shows what appears to be a vacuum hose connector (the smaller vertical tube on the left of the "thing").

If it is some type of vacuum-operated device, I would guess that the main body is some type of vacuum-operated diaphragm? Maybe the two larger tubes (on the right side of the body, right picture) are for some type of crankcase ventilation/recirculation?

Nyeh, I don't have a clue, sorry. Need more pics!