You may run that engine without an oil filter. Put a bolt/plug in the forward hole. Use the rear hole for the oil pressure gauge line.
If you want an oil filter with dual exhaust headers, you do have to worry about the rubber oil filter lines touching the headers/pipes.
I have used two techniques:
- use a metal "stand-off pipe" to come out from the block to clear the hot parts. Then run the oil lines from the pipe to a convenient location for a filter.
- use flexible metal (copper? or nickle/copper) tubing from the block to the oil filter (or to a short hose to the oil filter.
-- Brass "transition" adapters are available for most sizes of pipes/hoses.
My 54/55 COE (GMC) has the by-pass oil filter attached to the firewall, high on the passenger side. Basically, metal tubing runs from the block to a rubber hose/line to the oil filter.
