I might as well update this thread, although I doubt it is of much use or interest to anyone but me.
I searched far and wide for the a correct replacement reproduction fuel filter assembly for my Chieftain. They do not exist. I bought the 1/8" port filter assembly from Ames, which they list for the '57 but is not "correct". I picked up a pair of brass adapters and got the new assembly mounted. Of course now the hard fuel line needs to be modified to accommodate the inlet now being about an inch farther from the carb than previously. I carefully bent it to fit and now I have a leak-free fuel filter bowl.
The amount of distortion of the original cast housing was quite significant.
So now I can move on to the next issues - coolant leak and malfunctioning transmission.
Heck, the car only has 34k miles on it. Quality is just not what it used to be . . .
(just joking).