Fuel filter location

The pump creates a a low pressure area in a tiny cavity inside of it, and ATMOSPHERIC pressure pushes the fuel that is in the tank, towards the low pressure area. Once the fuel is in the pump, it pushes it towards the carb. The float valve is the restriction that backs the pressure up. Of course the atmosphere has to have access to the tank, to make this happen, and that is the number one reason that the tank has to be vented. If the tank is not vented, eventually the fuel will stop moving forward. AND, don't forget that the float bowl also has to be vented, else the atmosphere cannot push fuel up the fuel wells.
IMO, for most streeters, it makes absolutely no difference where the filter is located. Mine is just ahead of the right rear spring mount in the area that a torque box would be mounted. Mine is a big metal can, designed for an EFI car. It has over 120,000 miles on it.
IMO, just don't put a thin-walled plastic-bodied filter on the suction side of a 5/16 line; the walls of the filter will flex on every pump stroke, and if the pump is too weak, the filter will act like a pulse dampener, and very little fuel will actually move thru it.
IMO, you should prove the tank and float-bowl are vented.