1998 Taurus in line fuel filter plugged?

I have a 1989 Taurus 24 valve engine. The car would turn over, but not start. For some reason a buddy of mine tapped on the fuel filter looking part, that is located on top of the engine, inline with the fuel lines. This part has 1 connection in and 1 connection out, so I assume it is a filter. The engine started after this tapping, so I feel the filter is clogging and he only loosened up the clog. This has happened again yesterday, so I am looking for the part, but auto zone can not find the part # and keeps showing me a huge 1 lb coffee can looking filter. The part in question is a little bigger than the size of a poker chip. where can I find this part #?

Sounds like you're either referring to the fuel pressure regulator or the Idle Air Control, although neither of these would actually be in line with the fuel lines. The fuel pressure regulator would be connected to the fuel pressure rail.

The fuel filter on a 1989 or a 1998 Taurus would be about the diameter of a pop can and 2/3 as tall. It would probably be located on the passenger side firewall.

-Rod