i have a 84 2.5l lost power backefired and could not restart. tried and caught fire in the carb only. after replaceing the aircover notice directily under the carb was a round disk with spike like bars had droped down. it has a gasket and screw holes but i cant find what it is or what its called. please help

 

I would just rebuild the carb. Im not familiar with the part you describe but at that age a carb rebuild couldn't hurt anything and will most likely solve your problem.

 

You could buy a better one at quadratec.com if you can't rebuild it.

 

Is it the Rochester carb or the other one? The part you are describing is the insulator and has two screw holes, two gaskets and a cap. Is it that?