My thoughts here are two sided:
The EGR valve is required by the lean burning cars with carbs and it is a Federal offense to remove any emission device from the engine.

On the other side is that cars were getting the same milage with carburetors for years before EGR's were used. They fail and seem to always fail in an "open" position that adversely effects performance and milage. It is just one more thing that can go wrong on the engine.

If you remove the EGR valve, you have to replace or modify the carb for richer mixtures that will allow the running of the engine under all conditions. You have to have the advance recurved, including the vacuum advance to match the fuel supply and compression. This can be more costly than it is to replace the bad valve.
In the end I have always been required to follow Federal law or put myself on the line for the $10000 fine and 20 years in jail. If you are in one of the States that require emission testing to license your car you will need to have the EGR on the vehicle and in working condition.
It is your car, and your life - choose a consequence.

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Paul
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retired mechanic after 35 years
specialized in Holley carbs and Ford Automatic Transmissions