Recently discovered (yep, overlooked previously) that on the top of the inside of the valve cover on my '85 300CD-T (617.952 w/trap oxidizer, Calif. veh.) there is a kind of metal baffle that runs most of the length of the cover.

First, does anyone know why this is there? My '83 300CD-T (617.952) doesn't have this
Second, it concerned me a bit that on the end of the baffle that has a metal cover, it seems to be sealed with a (by now) hardened black rubber gasket-like material. Is this a risk to the engine should some of it ever come loose?
Curiously, the other end of the baffle is open, uncovered.

I'm guessing this arrangement has something to do with emissions. Anyone know for sure?

Thanks for the help