Dustcover Behind Flywheel? HELP FAST

[B2r3y]

It finally stoped raining enough here for me to start doing my flywheel/clutch install. Well i got a new flywheel and pilot bearing and rear main and all installed. Well i got finished putting up the p.p and clutch and was going to reinstall the bellhousing and realized that i left off the metal plate that sits right behind the flywheel ( the plate that the 2, 1/2 bolts on the bellhousing bolt into at the bottom of the BH). My questions is how vital is this plate and what happens if i dont put it back in?

I only ask this becuz when i had my old chevy truck i had a turbo 400 tranny installed and they left off the dust cover off that gaurds the flywheel becuz "it cools the tranny fast and prolongs the life of it. Dust doesnt get into it becuz it spins so fast." So i need to know this like asap becuz i want my ride back on the road and if i can leave it off with no problems then cool if not then i gotta put it on before i go any further.
thanks
bryan