What is the problem? Just getting the threads started? The old solid oil lines on my old 318 used to be a pig to get straight enough so they would start the threads without cross threading.
Joe will have the ones that go all the way to the front won't he? Rather than the ones that plonk the filter at the back by the dizzy.
If he wants a set that takes it to the back I can give him a set to take as a pattern but I'll need them back, I also have the mounting brakets etc for the filter.