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I see Mark is hull 835, I would expect it to be a Racor 500FG. I don't know Peter's hull #, but the description sounds like it's not a 500FG. I don't remember the model # for the hulls prior to 502 or so, but that has a different filter.

For 500FG the process is unfortunately more difficult. The beginning steps are the same, but you don't unscrew the filter with bowl attached. Once the bowl is drained, take off the T handle, more fuel will probably come out. You need a 1/4" socket wrench & remove 4 screws around the bowl housing. I will admit, I had a tough time taking them out, I couldn't see the screws, especially the rear ones. There is very-very little of the screw sticking out. The wrench must be exactly square to the screw head. Once all 4 screws are removed, the bowl will drop. Clean it as best you can. You will see there is a gasket that looks just like the gasket for the upper filter. It is NOT the same. The 1st time I did it, I didn't the condition of the gasket (had paint all over it) so called Racor. No stores/repair shops local to Marina del Rey had a gasket. Called Racor back & they sent me a few.

Putting the bowl & these 4 screws back on were also challenging. I kept alternating different screws to tighten so the bowl sit on the housing squarely. This is also a great time to replace the element & it's gasket on the top. You will save a lot of time and agravation if you fill the Racor (and secondary) filter with clean diesel. There is lots of controversy on which micron filter to put in, I personally feel 10 micron is the best for the Racor as it appears the secondary (Yanmar filter on the engine) filter is 2 micron. This is also an excellent time to replace the secondary filter. Be sure to open the fuel cock on the diesel tank. Be sure to acquaint yourself with the manual lift pump on the engine, more than likely the engine will stall and you will need to re-prime the fuel. If you filled both filters with clean fuel, 3-4 minutes of priming should be sufficient.