I'm putting my motor back together after having to replace the heads due to the exhaust ports rotting away. I have removed the air-injection/smog lines and plugged those holes. I'm leaving the EGR valve hooked up. My question is in regard to the vacuum line that goes to the EGR. I was planning on removing the plastic vacuum tank on the passenger fender well, the lines that go to it and then plugging the TAD and TAB sensors and leaving the electrical plugs hooked up to them to avoid a CEL.

If I do this, I need to get vacuum to the EGR valve still. I'm wondering if the EGR always sees regular manifold vacuum or if it is modulated by the TAB/TAD sensor/valve/thingies?

Can I just hook up the EGR directly to manifold vacuum and have it function properly?

 

Just like the ECM operates the TAB and TAD vacuum solenoids to control vacuum to their respective Thermactor Air Bypass and Diverter valves, there should be an EGR vacuum solenoid that the ECM controls to operate the EGR valve itself.

No, do NOT connect manifold vacuum directly to the EGR valve! If you did, the EGR valve would be closed when the engine was off, but as you start it and manifold vacuum builds, it would pull in (open) the EGR valve, severely diluting the mix and killing the engine. EGR is applied in moderation, different amounts under different conditions, and none at idle.
If there is a vacuum reservoir in the EGR vacuum control path, or in the vac source just upstream of it, I would leave it alone.