another, more, scattershield questions

[neal zimmerman <neal.zimmerman@xxxxxxxxx>]

i have another question about scattershields.
  The only real reason i bought it was that I couldnt find a
reasonably priced OEM big block bellhousing, and I got it for 100
dollars , as opposed to the 350 dollars I see the OEM  pieces  going
for, so I figured theres 250 bucks towards something else.
   Now I have seen them in catalogs with and without the inner plate
that goes between the back of engine and clutch, to protect back of
block in event of explosion.
   Mine had no inner plate.  whether it did originally or not we will
never know.
  is it OK to run it without the inner plate?  I mean we are mainly
talking a street car, not a full on  drag strip car so will it still
function correctly?? The only problem I can see is if it was meant to
be run with the inner plate it would affect ( by about 1/4 inch) how
far the input shaft of tranny went into back of crank, but i cant seee
how that would be an isssue and also there might be an issue with the
starter  depth.
  Now , on the other hand if i decided to make one, (easy enough i
think with my plasma cutter and a template), could  it just be made on
a sheet of 1/4 inch steel, or would i need to have the plate milled
flat after i cut it out.  I dont know how really " flat" a sheet of
steel actually is.
  thanks guys
  neal zimmerman, eugene oregon