the inlet to the pump drips if I loosen the hose so I know its getting a good flow of gas from the tank. when I have my wife crank the car I'm seeing small amounts of gas coming up to the filter. I disconnected it from the carb and no gas is making it that far. After cranking for a while a bit more gas builds up at the filter but my batteries dead right now so I'm charging it now...

Got any tips from priming it?

 

When you get the battery built back up, try putting about a tablespoon of gas down the venturi of the carb to help get it started, then the gas will flow to the filter much faster and hopefull keep the car running.