[V8] A clogged fuel filter leads to problems...

[Mike Ferguson]

Hey all, 

I don't have to call "Click and Clack the Tappet Bros." to know what a clogged fuel filter will do to the pump.  Yup - I postponed changing mine and am now paying for it..  Two weeks ago on a 25 degree day the BIG-8 started sputtering, popping and missing..  Short of a major catastrophe, fuel starvation is what I thought immediately, as I had gone through just about everything else on the car over the last two years, and of course, that NEW fuel filter has been sitting at home on the shelf for about 6 mo.  After a couple of stalls and pumping the throttle vigorously (a few times), it seemed to clear up and I made it to the garage..

Then, I removed the OEM filter and tried blowing through it - was kind of like blowing through a securely clinched fist, not very compliant at all..  New one was 100x less restrictive..  Awesome, I thought to myself, not a huge deal.  So, I proceeded to change-er out..  Two weeks later (today) on a 10 degree day, the BIG-8 is acting up, identically to a couple weeks ago.. and again, I was able to hobble home 5 mi..  

Question is, would it be fair to say that the fuel pump had a "heart attack" then a brief recovery and is now in fact seeing its last day..?  I have a 5KT fuel tank sitting around, I believe the pump is the same, but what a joy it's going to be working through the 6" opening in the trunk..  ANY BTDT's???  I got a little over a half tank still... ugh!

TIA

Mike 
(90 V8, 155k chassis)