Classic/Antique Car Repair: Oil Filter arrangement, rubber gasket, tiny spec

Question
Hello Dick:
Thanks for your time.
I have inherited a 1969/70 Dodge Chinnox Motor Lodge motor home.

I took the oil filter off, and when I put it back on...there was oil all over the place.
I've now done this arranging and rearranging...the items in and on the filter over 30 times...I give up.

Can you help me and tell me on a 1969/ truck/ motor home...just how the parts go together for the oil filter.

There is a large bolt that goes through the can and filter.
there is a metal spring with a metal washer on one end of the spring. and several washers.

I bought a new filter and it has little to no instructions on how to assemble everything.

Any and all help you can give me...will sure be appreciated!

Thank you

JosephJReine@aol.com  

Answer
There is something very odd about your oil filter!  By 1969, all engines that I am aware of used a modern "spin on" oil filter.   What you are describing is a style of oil filter which went out of use back in the early 60s.  Are you sure about the year of your vehicle?  Can you tell me which engine it has in it?  Dodge Motor Homes of that era usually had 440 V8s in them - an engine which was used on new vehicles up into the 80s. The 440 uses a NAPA 1515 oil filter, which simply spins onto a threaded pipe that protrudes from the lower driver's side front end of the engine.

Anyway, the old style oil filters consist of an outer can which slips over the replaceable element and seats into a groove machined into the mating surface.  This groove accepts a rubber gasket, which should be changed with each new  filter element.  It is critical that the new gasket be seated in its groove, and that the outer can is squarely seated into that groove and tightened against the gasket to prevent leakage.  The oil pressure in this can is 60 PSI or more, so even a tiny spec of grit, or a slight ding or misalignment of the parts will cause a hemorrhage of oil, which must be what is happening to you.   I'd certainly like to know what engine is in your motor home!

I hope this is helpful.

Dick