Tappet cover insulation panel

[Canafid]

In the middle of replacing injection pump when I notice the condition of the tappet cover gasket. It's severely cracked, but not leaking (yet). I'm going to replace it as long as I'm this far in it already, along with the camshaft position sensor - it looks like a bear to access when the injection pump is in place.

 

My question is about the insulation panel situated between the tappet cover and the ECM. It looks terrible, and I'm inclined to just leave it off as I don't care about the noise put off by the engine, and some even suggest it holds water and promotes rusting of the tappet cover. My only concern is it may shield some heat from the ECM, even though it's on the intake side of the engine.

 

Has anybody left this thing off? Any ill effects? I found a replacement, but don't think it's worth $129.

picture is upside down - sorry. But you get the idea.

 

[TFaoro]

My tappet cover didn't have insulation on it when I replaced the original gasket. I personally would throw it awa and not worry about it

[Mopar1973Man]

 

That's all I do it rip it out and just replace the gasket on the cover. As for heat shield not required either. Just keep 14-20 PSI of fuel pressure and fuel flow will cool the VP44.

[Canafid]

That's what I thought, but wanted the opinion of people more experienced with these engines.

 

Thanks

[mopartechnician]

I just did mine last week. That stuff is in the garbage, it was completly filled with oil. My gasket had three major cracks alobg the bottom and a 1/4" chunk missing out of the top

Edited July 2, 2014 by mopartechnician