Distributor Heat Shield

I recently bought my 81 and along with it came a distributor heat shield. The only thing is....it wasn't in the engine compartment. It was behind the seat. Apparently it had been removed at one point and was determined to be too much of a P.I.T.A. to reinstall.....My question is: If I was to leave it off, will it harm anything? I know there is a place to connect an engine grounding strap to the heat shield. Presently the ground strap isn't connected its just hanging there. Any suggestions on what an alternative might be? I'd rather not put it back on, if I don't have to.
Thanks,
Stormy
BTW...I live in California.. so I have ALL the smog @#*&%# to deal with as well

I could be way off base ( I thought by 81 resistive wires were being used more extensively ) but something tells me that what you are looking at is not a heat shield. It is an electrical shield to help prevent engine noise from getting into your electrical system ( translate that to radio ). If it is your ignition shielding and if you do not hear "engine whine" through your radio, then you don't need to replace it. Keep it though since it is one less thing you will need to buy if you ( or someone else ) decides to do an NCRS restoration on the car.

I agree, I don't have mine on because most of the covers were missing when I bought it. I do plan on replacing the hole set some day but it's not a high priority. I do get some noise if I listen to a tape or an AM station (only football/hockey games).

Thanks to both of you for your replies. No I don't get any engine "whine" through the radio at all, so I guess, no worries then if I leave it off. I will definitely hang on to it as recommended, placing it in the box (going to need a bigger box though) with the original radio that was replaced by the previous owner. Thanks again, take care.
Stormy
stw....