Rob, I'd leave the fuel filter before the pump if you're going to add everything new...I do that when everything is replaced and I've caught some junk that would have ended up in the vapor separator...You'd think with all parts being new that everything is clean but small amounts of dirt, rubber,plating etc... can be initially caught...After a few miles of running you can easily change out the filter with a straight run of hose if you want...That's my ....