I think I know the answer already but I want to confirm

There are, of course, a power wire and a ground wire going to the fuel pump. When I rewired my fuel pump, I bypassed the stock small-gauge connector and used 2 bulkhead connectors to traverse the tank cover panel.

When I was reconnecting everything, I realized that outside the tank, that ground wire is grounded right there outside the tank anyway .

So is there any reason for an insulated bulkhead connector for the negative wire? Or can I just have a (well sealed) bolt traversing the tank cover with the ground wires connected to that (with electrical continuity between the inside ground wire, the metal cover, and the outside ground wire)?

 

$lacker,

Could you demonstrate the change you described in a pic or two? I'd love to help but I just don't "see it" as you described.