Mark,

First, take a deep breath and relax.  You did no damage to your engine by changing the oil yourself.  I don't think that you took any miles off of the engine by not filling the new oil filter.

As the original owner of my 91 Carat, I have performed oil changes by myself since new (every 3000 miles or so).  My Vanagon now has 176,000 miles on the original engine (head leaks sealed at 100,000, no other engine work required).  It was not until a year ago when I joined this list did I hear of filling the new oil filter before installing it.  Ignorance is bliss as they say.

All in all, not a bad idea.  But I have never done it, and my engine has 176,000 miles on it.  I know of the clatter sound that you described, but I do not think that any harm came to your engine.

Good luck with your future oil changes.

Dennis Lockwood
91 Carat
Original Owner