Pointers for '88 7.3 (non-idi) fuel filter and glow plug change

[gemniii]

Finally got the doghouse off.
Plug change looks fairly straight forward, Kroil is on order.
I'm having a bear of a problem getting something around the fuel filter to get it off. Any pointers?
Specific for the E350 '88, it's a lot different than the PSD's.

[gemniii]

Well I finally got back to it.
Got a strap around the filter and got it off, but the base (drain) was almost welded on.
As far as the plugs, 6 were fairly easy to change, but the second one in from the front on each side were blocked by the injector lines, and I'm hoping it will fire.