Classic/Antique Car Repair: 61 Thunderbird Fuel Sender Replacement, sound deadening material, fuel sender

Question
Brad, I want to replace the fuel sender unit in my 61 Thunderbird and can't tell by the service manual if I need to drop the tank or not.  On the early (55-57) T-Birds there was a plate in the truck that could be removed to accommodate removing and installing the sender. I pulled up the mat in the trunk of my '61 but didn't rip up the sound deadener insulation to probe for a removable plate.  Can you help?

Thanks, Norm

Answer
Now don't shoot me if I am wrong but if I remember right when Budd started building the T bird body for Ford in 61 they did not put the plate in the floor. However if it is there you should be able to feel it through the sound deadening material. Good luck.
Brad