Yeah, the vast majority of r107 don't have them. I've been beating the **** out of my iron block forever essentially without one. It's connected but there's no valve in it so a very small amount of oil actually flows through it. For a street car I wouldn't be super concerned. If you have a thermostat on it I'd just have it closed below like 150° then always flowing. The engine will keep warm. If it's winter you can always block the cooler fins.

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