Exhaust manifold 'shield' - needed?

[scumdog]

This has very likely been done to death in the past but is the tin exhaust 'shield' mandatory, will there be issues if I don't put it back on? (I've got the manifold off to fix a leak at the rear flange.)

It will sure make putting the manifold back on a lot easier if I don't replace the 'shield'!

And I noticed that part number cast on the manifold is C3SE9431B, to me this indicates a 1963 part, did they just keep using the 1963 manifolds through to 1966?

[simplyconnected]

Tom, these are heat shields because some parts will be damaged without them. My Y-Block has 'rams horn' style manifolds that come dangerously close to my master cylinder. So the M/C has the shield.

Other engines shield the plug wires, etc. If you don't have this danger, leave them off but be careful and look around for potential hazards. - Dave

[Yadkin]

It's a '63 part because the '64 model was released in '63. They'll use the same part until it has to be redesigned, so it could be produced for several years.