Oil Filter Leaking at First Prime of Oil Pump

Hi Everyone,

I finally got time (after 3 moves in 3 years) to prime my new build (408 LA) and I found a significant oil leak that i believe is from the oil filter (not the plate). Using a drill to circulate a HV melling oil pump. I tried 2 filters just to confirm, and both leaked. After a bunch of research and reading, I've come up with a few items i think may cause it but definitely needing some help:

• oil filter plate was painted by builder (could this cause a leak at the oil filter gasket)?
• possible leaking oil filter plate (i plan to crawl underneath while having the wife run the drill to see where first leak is)
• cold weather causing viscous oil over pressure as it pushed through the filter (highly unlikely)

Its the same plate that was used prior to rebuild (stock plate) and i had no leaks there previously.

Any help would be much appreciated.