Thanks for the input, all.

I reset all the ground connections, used some breaker cleaner and cleaned up anything that want bare metal.

I did the reverse prime trick and that got it pumping. Started it up tonight and runs well. Normal oil pressure at idle and at speed.

I did have to take the 90° adapter off to get the oil stream to actually go down into the pump, but I'm sure on a more level surface or the back end on the incline you could do it without removal. It was just easier to do it that way. And even with it off not all of it flows perfectly, so some cleanup was in order.

I haven't had any other smoking issues from the grounds since I cleaned everything up andtorqued it all back down. The dipstick tube stud nut was really dirty. I should've paid more attention.

 

Not to beat a dead horse, but it woulda primed by just cranking it over.