You might be thinking of the oil filter. The fuel filter I use on my 284 goes on without issue. The stock oil filter has a top that is domed where the threaded hole is. The domestic filter that I replaced it with is dished in where the threaded hole is and requires a longer thread to reach and engage properly. On the oil filter base/holder, the threaded pipe is held in place with a locknut. By loosening this locknut you can screw the threaded pipe out a bit to insure complete engagement with the filter, then re-tighten the locknut. I don't recall having to do this on the fuel filter, just on the oil filter.