Just following up with a quick progress report. Replaced the filter housing as planned (2 hour job) last week. Took a three hour trip over the fourth, towing heavy in hot weather, and lots of stopping and starting over six days of camping and fly fishing. So far so good!
Btw, for anyone else doing the same fix, do yourself a favor and pick up a couple of replacement hose clamps (screw type) at an auto parts store, as there is very little room to work on it to begin with and the factory pinch clamps were hard to work with.
Thanks again to all!