A drain back on the filter I do believe is what you should do. By doing this the oil stays near the valve train so when the pump starts to pick up oil from the pan it doesn't have to pump oil as far to get oil on the lifters and such.[/quote]
I switched to better filters with a good anti-drainback valve I was using the Mopar filters, then went with the Napa Gold Filter which is made by Wix did not really help!

 

i have been using good filters (purolator which is just a rebaged pure one premium, their supposed best filter) if you know of a place to get a seperate anti-drain back valve please share, bc i have come to the same conclusion as you that it would solve the problem.

 

Sorry guys, I have limited knowledge on the 4.7l I have only done a tune up on my uncle 02 Durango so far. I don't know if someone makes a separate drain back valve for them, mabye dodge does since this is a common issue. I couldn't say for sure

 

I may have to look for one of those anti-drainback valves wonder if like a oil filter relocator kit has one on it?

 

The filters themselves have the anti-drain back check valve inside them. I use Bosch or Purolator.

However if you want the best then go to K&N or Mobil One Fully Synthetic oil filters.

 

does the Napa gold filter have a anti-drainback built in? I really dont see how it could drain back since the filter is mounted vertically, if the filter was mounted horizintally it looks like it would really drain back, IDK?

 

the filter on the 4.7 is mounted at an angle so yea it drains out to some extent, but it also drains back thru the filter from above, which is what causes the noisy starts that so many complain about.

the valve train also drains back thru the block just like the oil flows when the engine is running so an anti-drainback valve will NOT eliminate the problem, just make the noise go away quicker

and hydra, i too use the purolators, tho rebadged as powerflow, cost 1/2 as much

 

could passages in the head be constricting flow? clogged up with sludge etc?

 

if you have sludge your going to have big problems pull the valve cover and check it out

 

I checked http://www.napafilters.com/ and it doesn't mention it as the other sites do, so......IDK

Oil can drain back out of the filter and top of the engine because the pan is lower then the filter, simple gravity.