oil leak above oil filter
 

My 94 bird with 4.6 has developed a bad oil leak (about 1 qt in 1000 miles).
The leak appears to be between the oil filter mounting block and the engine block.
Anyone else with this problem? Can't find any procedure in the Ford shop manual for removing this block and replacing the gasket. Visually it looks as if the front engine cover, p/s pump, and everything else on front of engine has to be pulled just to access the mounting block. Open to suggestions. Thanks.

I'm not sure on this one, but some filter blocks are held by the center filter threaded mounting bolt. If the center piece has a hex shape for a socket that might be all that is required to remove it.