That is the filter I run on the Mountaineer 4.0. It should have a spring in the base end for the bypass valve. From what I can see on the pleats, it doesn't look terribly dirty, in fact seems rather clean. It would be interesting to see a blotter of your oil. Just take a file card next time and drip two drops off the dipstick and let it spread out and soak in. Usually there will be some ring partway out of deposited material that was held in suspension. I expect you will have a pretty decent looking blotter.
You can cut some of the pleats crosswise at both sides and unfold them to see what crud is embedded at the bottom of each pleat. Also can view the flattened out filter element through backlight. I used to get them where you barely could see light through them.
Nice cutting job, what tool did you use?