I have checked for leaks, and found none.
When I bought the car (finished) it had the shortest filter that NAPA had.
You could not get the filter off without bending it up to get it past the frame.
Needless to say a new one would not go on with removing the bolts from the motor mounts and jacking up the motor or using a remote filter kit.
I chose to use the remote kit, and it has been trouble free for at least 2 months.
Thanks for the ideas so far, and I sure hate to think about dropping the pan for a new
oil pump, but????