How important is it to install the 68-70 (71-72?) drivers side heat shield on a 340? I'm guessing if the engineers thought it was it should be there. I'm about 640 miles deep on my fresh 70 340 and thusfar have had zero problems melting anything especially with the Mopar repro orange wires. Due to a bad mating surface on my original exhaust manifold to the TTI exhaust, I have to remove the manifold to machine it flat as I keep blowing the gasket. Now would be a perfect time to install the shield. I'm liking the original shield look and desired functionality of it. Has any-one had any misfortunes installing one, gasket wise from the manifold to the head? Seems the only gasket is the thin shield itself?? Thanks for any input good, bad or indifferent. Thomas

1970 340 with HP manifolds - after burning #7 plug wire. I put the shield on

I have the good HP exhaust manifolds on there.. # 2863552-cast 2863553 I'm really leaning on installing the shield, how's the head to manifold seal for you? I don't see why it would be an issue I'm just looking for some insight. Thanks.