just a little more on this, these are the plates our SB came with, from the plate run hard line to filter boss that sat on top of inlet manifold that leaves a mess come oil change time.

so most aussies run the lines off this plate to a better location for the filter.
I like the idea to delete the plate as it takes two right angels out of the system but not sure I will gain any more flow with the id of the 3/8 ntp fittings.
the next two pic are a plate from an early 273 with the filter up front of the engine, the oil came out of that little fitting and run to filter up front and returned to engine through timing cover.


I'm sure you guys had this set up, but unsure so I thought id throw it up anyway.