Brian,

Yes - on the 1987 300D, there is insufficient clearance to get the oil filter cover off the cannister due to the tight engine fit against the "false" firewall. So, either you get the "center bolt" loose and detach the "center pole" from the lid, or you remove the center section of the false firewall.

All this even though the filter is significantly shorter for the 603 than the 616/617.

Ken300D

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1982 300D at 351K miles
1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles