Plate on Bottom of Gas Tank - why?

[tom h]

The TR stock gas tank has a piece of sheet metal glued under the tank tank - anyone know why?

The GM drawing describes it as :
INSULATOR , FUEL TANK (BOTTOM OF FUEL TANK)(3.8-7)......25519978

Is it sound insulation? I'm about to install a new gas tank + hotwired Walbro340 on my 87GN, and I was planning on NOT installing the "insulator".

The "insulator" is too small to function as a "skid plate". I once had an '84 Regal sedan whose tank got punctured by a rock or something, major PITA. A real skid plate would've been nice!

 

[Dan Thompson]

When you change the fuel pump don't forget to change the fuel filter. Have a container close by to catch about a cup of fuel when the fuel filter is disconnected.

 

[U1ARUNIT]

My guess is that it's a sound insulator. I don't think that it's _that_ important.