What was Rambler's Air Guard pollution system, and can I find them now if I wanted to replace mine?

Question:

l’ve been told my Rambler originally came with a pollution control device called an Air Guard System. This was removed before I bought the car and I’m thinking of replacing it. Just what did it do, and where might I find one?

Answer:

The American Motors Air Guard System was essentially the same pollution control system as GM’s Air Injection Reactor system and Ford’s Thermactor Exhaust Emission Control. These systems work with unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide in the exhaust manifolds. An air pump, driven by the engine, injects air into the exhaust port at each cylinder. The compressed air combines with unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide at high temperatures in a chemical reaction which lowers emissions. The system includes a pump, brackets, hoses, air-check valves, a bypass valve, tubes and pulleys. In addition, cars with this system had a specially calibrated carburetor and distributor as well as special exhaust manifolds and a different air cleaner. Because so many of these systems were removed years ago, it’s often difficult and expensive to find one. Hemmings Motor News probably is the best place to start. And it’s a long shot, but you might ask the previous owner if he still has the original components.