What is the trick on changing the oil filter on a 496 HO, with out spilling oil everywhere? Why did they mount it upside down?

I sure, I'm missing some thing.

My old 7.4 330 had the filter hanging. I would simple hold a shallow pan ( 1-1/2" cut off bottom from 1 gal plastic jug) under the filter, then remove it.

Crack the filter till the seal breaks and gets a little air or poke a hole in the top of the filter let it sit for awhile to let the oil drain out of the filter back into the moter. When you think the filter has drained enough wrap a rag around the top of the filter housing and get it off asap. Sorta ****ed up design ain't it.

Here is a little more good stuff.
http://books.google.com/books?id=V97...result#PPP7,M1

https://www.amsoil.com/storefront/bmk18.aspx

All you have to do is crack the filter and unscrew it a turn or two. it will drain on it's own. If you put your hand on it you will feel it "glugging". My routine is to loosen the filter then suck the oil out while it drains down, by the time you get the oil out of the engine it will have drained completely. Then just quickly unscrew it the rest of the way and flip it over, there will be some oil in the center portion of the filter that will not drain back. It can be accomplished without making a mess or spilling a drop once you get it figured out. When they first came out with those things I cussed at them for a while but now I think they are the easiest style to deal with.

If your using filters with the anti-drain valve I recommend buying them without that piece....I also knock a hole in the top of the filter to let the oil drain back to the pan.

poke a hole in filter wait 5 mins and it should have drained enough to not make a big mess !

Ditto on that.

Using a filter without the ainti drainback will cause more wear and tear on initial start up. The oil in the filter will drain back and the filter will have to refill first on start up before oil is circulated.

try using a large zip lock freezer bag all around the filter let it drain in the bag, then drop the filter in the bag as well..Rob

Poke the hole in the top - wait a beer or two - take off with no problem.

Ditto. No need to poke a hole in the filter.

I'm not following.....

Are you stating to unscrew it enough that the seal is no longer in contact with the base? Seems like that would let the oil drain out past the seal.
If you don't poke a hole in it, how does it get air in it to drain down?

Thanks