when i took the pan off my old 340 block there was a tin "splash shield" i call it, im thinking to make sure that when the crank is turning the oil doesnt splash all over the place and stays in the bottom of the pan. now i have accuired another block and put a stroker crank in it but it rubs on this shield. i tried denting the shield with a hammer everywhere the crank rubs but with little success. is this really what the shield is for, and do i need to put it back on? could i do without it, or do the make aftermarket ones specially for this?

thanks for ur input guys