Blake,
I purchased a new fuel filter on line about two weeks ago when I bought my stuff to do the wires, distributor cap and rotor and the plugs. I read your post and was a bit dismayed that I would be wasting my time or my money putting it on the car. Well, I had the car in for tire rotation and asked the mechanic what he would charge to stick the filter on for me. He said he would pop it on for free. What a great relief. But to no benefit. 168,000 miles and I can tell no difference with the new filter. Well, I feel better anyway knowing it is clean and unclogged.
Larry