The oil filter for the 1997 Ford Explorer equipped with the 4.6-liter V8 engine can be found in the following location within the engine bay:
1. Open the hood of your vehicle.
2. Locate the oil filter near the front-left corner of the engine.
3. The oil filter is cylindrical object positioned perpendicular (vertically) to the ground. It is attached to the engine and near the bottom.
4. Look for a black cap with the words "Oil Filter" printed on it.
Note: To access the oil filter conveniently, you may need to move aside any covers or components that are in the way, such as the air filter housing or air intake tube.