Well it very well may be missing..I'll take it apart and check it...Thank you for the valuable advice...I'll let you know.....
Andy the User Handbook pg.57 shows what you are talking about in the figure parts #9,10,11,12....Also it is showing a CANISTER type filter......My 1954 Ferret came with the Diaper/Blanket type of oil filter....Did those original types have this spring also or just the shorter canister types ?
thank you Sir