A filler block is a machined chunk of (usually) cast aluminum made to fit in the exhaust cavity between the engine block and the base plate of the pipes. It provides a distinct passage from each port to each pipe. They are machined to exactly match the port and block contour on one side and the pipe and base plate on the other side. The filler block gets bedded in place with some high-temp goo but not as permanent as JB weld for instance. Pipes without the filler is just a silly exercise. Wanna make noise ? Find a piece known as a Quincy dump which doesn’t need a filler block, it just replaces the stock exhaust cover. Early on, Mercury engineers found some free horsepower by just dumping the exhaust to the atmosphere.