Hi Mike:
I have the Milodon 8 quart
oil pan. I need 10 quarts of
oil in the system to enable my
oil to reach the oil temperature bulb which is located on the top of the drivers side "T" or wing of the oil pan.
So one quart or so is in the filter and the other is in the oil cooler hoses and cooler.
Where is your oil temp gauge bulb (sensor)? You need to make sure it is immersed in oil as a starting point.