Identify part on Water Pump housing

I need to buy a new water pump housing to go along with my engine rebuild:




Anyway, I got to looking at my pump, and noticed some sort of device with what resembles vacuum hoses coming off of it. Three hose ports are on this attachment (excuse the older picture, was the only one available). Look directly left of the pump inlet:



This may be a novice question, but, What is this and what did it do/attach to? Part Number?

It is a Chrysler part, as I can make out a tiny little Chrysler emblem, but no numbers. The engine is a 400 HP from a 1972 Polara.

This is usually where the temp sending unit is mounted, isn't ?
Author: ZedR