Classic/Antique Car Repair: oil filters, hemmings motor news, 1955 plymouth belvedere

Question
On a 1955 Plymouth belvedere 6 cylinder flathead, nobody seems to know what to do about the oil filter or can even identify it.  It appears to be one of the originals if what I think is actually the oil filter . It is a kind of heavy canister like thing with a small connection going into the top and another coming out the bottom.  Some say it is  an oil cooling  thing others say it is a permanent filter that you don't change but the original owners manual cam
e with it and states to change the filter which shows a drawing that looks like this thing.  It doesn't appear that you could take it apart.  Any suggestions?

Answer
That was the original type of filter that was installed on the car from the factory. The Purolator number was PER 1/2. When you changed the filter the entire thing was replaced by removing the line at the top and bottom. There are companies that deal in antique auto parts that advertise in Hemmings Motor News, the old car hobbies classified bible, like Andy Bernbaum in Newton Mass. WWW.oldmoparts.com. The part number is L280 and sells for $45.00. I am sure that with a little looking in Hemmings you might find a better price.