Fuel pick-up broke in filter,can I use direct fit?
 

I started to replace the fuel filter on my 87 Ranger.There was no filter in it and the pick-up tube,vertical tube that runs to bottom of filter,was missing.
The filter is in a very tight spot so I'm guessing the previous owner forced can out and broke pick-up line.
I've had a few people say that since the fuel will fill the can and be forced out of the top hole were pick up line was the engine should run fine but engine still stalls and starts to sputter or acts like it's out of fuel when pedal is pressed.Engine will die but after a few turns of the key and a few seconds of siting engine starts right back up.
Other than replace whole screw on assembly I am very tempted to use a direct fit fuel filter.
It'll fit rather easy,I may have to add a strap to secure filter.
One other problem was fuel line was bent in half,I had to apply heat and straighten it out but same symptoms as above.
Are there any other symptoms that mock a clogged filter?