There is a fuel pump shutoff that is down by the drivers kick panel iirc. I think the ford dealer was feeding you a line of bull about the oil filter shutting off the fuel pump. I don't know the 4 Cyl. very well, but this sounds real fishy. There may be something wrong with your fuel pump shutoff switch or maybe they really meant the fuel filter. Wouldn't hurt to change it just in case. (Takes about 15 min. By gas tank in front of PS-rear tire.)
Check if the car is getting spark to the cylinders to help isolate the starting problem. (It's either ignition or induction...)
