Does that filter look like one of the ones in this pic? Proabably the uppoer one?
The upper is "early model" like our 84 TBird and 97 Aerostar use. The lower one is from our 02 E450. Just as a note, either will replace the other, but the connections are different. Lower to replace Upper is OK, but Upper won't allow access to the disconnect tool (shown at right) once it's installed in a newer vehicle.
I took one of the old-type filters off the T-Bird and about couldn't blow through it. Red in the Face and enough air came out to blow a few bubbles. Tried a new one at the auto supply and I easily blew dust around on the floor. I can't prove it but I believe a restriced filter can wear down a fuel pump.
T-Bird, with early TBI, did not have a Mass Air Flow Sensor. It did have an Air Charge Temp Sensor in one branch of the Intake Manifold. It's a Thermistor, and a Cold Engine caused a High Resistance, which increased the Pulse Time to the Injectors, like Choking a Cold Engine. This was happening on the road, and the car would slow down, sometimes stop, in a cloud of black smoke. So rich it couldn't keep running. Not saying this is happening to you now, but it's a condition I ran into that sapped the engine's power.