holding up progress

I have a '76 360 that i bought for my valiant. When I bought it the short block was put together and just lacked a oil pan and timing chain and cover. So I got a new timing chain and got that on, and was ready to start messing with the cover when the book I was reading( still kinda new at this) said don't forget about the oil slinger. I looked all around couldn't find one, summit doesn't recognize that part for my '76 360, I've looked at various sites to see if its needed, some say yes, others no. Some say later models didn't come with one. Does anyone know for sure. Please let me know. Thanks.