First picture shows a hose that loops around and back into separator. Second shows hose from bottom to engine. I certainly think he would have removed it if it weren't serving any purpose. He was very concerned about weight.Could you please provide some additional photos that show where the breather hoses attached to the Separator actually go to? From the pitures provided its not really possible to tell what is happening there. If the Separator is completely disconnected then you're carrying around a dead weight for nothing, but I suspect there is more to it than that as your Dad would have removed it if this were the case, right?
I think this is it?While you are taking pictures, take a pic or two showing where the crankcase breather hose goes now (since apparently it doesn’t go to the pictured separator).
I think this is it?