Well, here's the story:
I got everything (cam, crank, IP) lined up to TDC and that didn't resolve the issue. Still was not starting well/at all. I bought a 10mm IP from richard78 and it arrived Thursday.
I took the new IP and swapped it in to the car,
made sure everything was lined up to TDC
primed the IP
cracked the nuts at the injectors
cranked to bleed #3
engine exploded (joke)
tightened nuts at injector 3 and cracked 2 and 4
bled 2 and 4 while cranking and closed them up
cracked #1 to bleed and accidentally started the car while bleeding it
closed #1
started the car
It wasne even a whole revolution of the engine. I mean, the key wasn't even all the way turned and the engine was running. And, it was not a fluke, the car now starts like this every time!
I had no idea the car could start so quickly. I am completely thrilled.
Lots of thanks everyone here who helped narrow this down for me.
So, after I pulled the old IP - it seems the PO (or some mechanic along the way) did a number on it. to the left of the hole where one would pin the IP, there was a second hole drilled into the pump housing. Also, it seems there is a crack in the housing near the pin hole.
It also seems that whoever fiddled with this pump put everything back on with an impact wrench. It was impossible to undo the 22mm nut on the end of the pump drive shaft. Without a vice to hold the sprocket, I attempted to pin the sprocket and turn the 22mm nut loose. This was my own fool idea and separated a chunk from the housing where the crack was. I'm probably going to keep this old IP for parts and enjoy driving my car for a while before I worry about it.
Thanks again people!
~Will