Getting ready to change the oil in my Legacy.  First time had a shop do
it as I didn't have time....  So now I'm gonna tackle it on my own and
don't like what I see.  Anyone have any hints as to how to keep this
from being a complete mess?  Also, anyone have any pics of the Airwolf
install on an IO-550....that upside down oil  filter is a joke....not a
very funny one, either.

Barry,

 

I have a remote (Airwolf) filter on my very tightly cowled 320.  It is a snap to cleanly remove the upside down filter by placing a few paper towels below the filter to catch the few drops after the filter is removed, the filter is loosened enough so that it can be turned by hand, a large zip-loc freezer bag is gathered around the filter and, wearing disposable gloves and the whole she-bang is rotated off the remote mount - Voila!  No fuss, no muss!

 

I was also lucky enough to have enough room to mount a quick drain where I use a short hose to drain the oil into a discarded 5-gallon pickle bucket.  Later that same bucket is taken to the local FBOs used oil container - I deserve that fee-less accommodation since I have paid his outrageous prices for a case of Phillips X/C multigrade and a Champion filter.

 

This picture was taken during the LSE EI install.  You can see the firewall mounted filter.  I do have to unbolt the gascolator drain knob adele clamp to get the filter physically out, otherwise a snap.  The Tach time and date is marker penned on the new filter so I can see that info when I open the oil door.