It's probably not the locost way, but maybe a remote filter might work? The sandwich plates tend to be quite shallow, and a quick search on here suggest it's a common way of avoiding conflict with the steering rack.

Many thanks Cliftyhanger, looks like the Mann W77 is the one I need, as it has the 3/4-16 UNF thread and is only 59 mm tall. I have only 65mm of space.

I will visit my local motor factors tomorrow and get that filter and some oil too.

Just to confirm the Mann W77 is correct filter for tight clearance on the Zetec, it's only 59mm tall and has the ford 3/4" -16 UNF thread.

I got it from GSF Car Parts who stock Mann Filters. The filter is quite rare as the chap said they only had 13 in stock in all their UK branches! However Amazon also seem to sell them too.

Filter fits fine and I have good clearance to the steering column now.

I've re-adjusted the toe as that changed when I moved the rack, will now wait for a dry day to go for test run. MOT booked Monday!

Just in case anyone is looking for the absolute shortest oil filter for a zetec, then the MANN W85 filter is just 49mm high but it is a metric M20 thread so you would have to get a 3/4 UNF to M20 threaded fixing spigot to replace the UNF one on the engine.
I had to go this way when I converted my CVH westy to zetec turbo.

[Edited on 5/10/20 by SteveRST]