Now that ethanol is replacing MTBE, I would expect that more owners of '97, '98 vehicles will be experiencing the 'fuel spit-back/difficult to fuel' problem.
There is a ford ESP 1M04 (extended service plan = hidden warranty) that covers the part 'till 10yrs/100K miles.
The fix is to replace the tank filler neck assembly with a new one that has a flapper valve that is made of the proper material that will not swell and stick when exposed to the new fuel additives. Despite the advice in other postings, I was not able to impact the problem by 'rodding' the filler neck with a long piece of coat hanger wire.
In order top replace the part, a portion of the rear suspension has to be lowered, and the tank lowered as well.
It would be an expensive proosition if it was not covered - so best to have it taken care of while Ford will foot the bill.
Stay tuned.
AL
When I dropped the car off, the service advisor went out to put the hang-tag on the mirror, and the paper mat on the floor. After a minute or so she comes back in and asks me if there is a 'trick' to starting the car. I said 'no, but let me see if there is a problem.' Turns out that the paper mat was obstructing the travel of the clutch pedal, and she wasn't making the interlock so the car would not crank. I hope the service guys have more on the ball.
