Byron:

You think it's bad on the 240, try the W115 300D!

I seem to remember some W123 chassis 240s having a remote oil filter, one where the top comes off. Much easier.

The problem you are going to have is that you have a dual oil filter, and the housing also contains the thermostat for the oil cooler, the bypass for the filter, and the oil pressure relief valve.

I'm not sure a spin on adapter of any kind is going to be easy. The nylon mesh part is that actual main filter, the canister portion is a bypass filter -- the oil is bled off through the bypass filter to the sump, not through the engine. Oil for the engine just goes through the nylon mesh. If yours isn't perfect, get a new one for the next oil change.

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!