The factory used a insulator on that line from the pump to carb for some cars like 2nd gen firebirds so Im sure there was a reason for it, its just a 1/4" thick foam rubber material so not sure how well it actually worked on a fully heat soaked car in hot summer temps, but they found a reason to use it so it most likely has a benefit.
I have a robbmc mechanical pump in a dead head set up on a 500+hp engine with a Q-jet, I use a 1/2" or -8 braided line from pump to carb & have never had a vapor lock or over heated fuel problem using 10% ethanol or straight gas, hot summer days on the street or at the drag strip all day... and my line from tank runs on passenger side & comes about 2" from the big header tubes, then crosses over to pump under the front of engine clamped to the front oil pan bolts, so it gets pretty hot compared to cars with fuel line on driver side.
Even though I didnt have issues for a few years, I decided to put some heat wrap on those hot areas just to be safe, i use a heat tape with adhesive on the back to wrap around the line in tight spaces, or use a heat wrap summit sells with velcro down the side so it can be slipped over line without disconnecting them, seems to be good stuff and im sure it reduces the temps, the line from the pump to carb is still bare since its kinda floats around behind the p/s pump & alt so its not touching the engine... but heat wrap can touch the block without any issues.
Heat tape/wrap is cheap enough to try and definitely has a benefit in key areas.
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