Bought a motorcraft FD-4615 fuel filter off Amazon for my 2013 f-350 6.7L. The lower/frame mounted filter went on no problem. When putting the upper/engine mounting filter on, it would not go in all the way. When I held the new filter up to the old filter I could see a noticeable difference in size. In my efforts to make it fit, I broke a small piece of plastic on the housing that guides it into its locked position.

I never could make it fit so I decided to reinstall the old filter so that I could at least drive to the store and get another fuel filter. I put it in place right where the housing (that is now broken) would have stopped it. I reconnected the hoses, cycled the engine, and attempted to start. It cranked and turned over for about 2 seconds and then shut off. I cycled 6x again and tried to start. It cranks but no turnover.

does anyone know what could be causing this issue?

i went to the auto store and got another fuel filter- genuine motorcraft. And I see the same cast mark on the plastic filter, giving me concern that the same issue is going to happen with it not fitting.

Is it possible that the cold weather is causing the plastic housing to contract? Should I put some sort of lubrication on the filter to try and forcefully spin it into place? Should I file it down and make it fit?

and does the seating of this upper filter even have anything to do with the truck not starting or should I look for potential issues with the lower/frame filter?