I have a '91 4.3 liter v6 OMC engine in my boat (Sunbird 185). I was getting ready for the 1st day on the lake. It started and ran in the drive-way Friday nite. I assume that short run emptied the float bowl. I am not getting fuel to the carb. The float bowl is empty. The engine will start and run with starting fluid. I opened the gas cap there was enough back pressure to push about a gallon of gas out onto my driveway. I removed the mechanical fuel pump and cleaned some jellied fuel out of the bottom. Replaced everything and still no start and no fuel. I removed the water sep and tried to start. I expected some suction at the inlet to the water sep. but got none. How can I make sure the fuel pump is bad? How does a mechanical fuel pump work? there is a rod that moved out of the engine, did not come all the way out, but gravity made it difficult to re-install the pump.