Thank goodness for an air hose
OK, embarrassed but happy!
I decided in my frustration to change the timing belt and not worry about the runnability until later. That was incredibly easier than I thought. Well, bundling up the job, I was ready to hook up the fuel lines. I primed the brand new VW purchased filter, and put the feed line on the filter, and MightyVac went on the other end of the feed line. At an incredible vacuum, no joy, so to speak. So off with the hose, and to the air compressor. I blew out a piece of plastic, which I assume is inside this hose looking at the end of it. I put the fuel line back on, pumped and at <5in, the fuel flowed like a champ. On goes the return line, back to the filter, pumped and finally primed the pump. Primed the injectors, then off to start it, and it started.
Let it get warm, and checked the injector timing and low and behold, no need to adjust, it is dead center. So, bundle the car up tomorrow evening with NEW fuel lines, and start driving it again.
I'm not sure where the plastic piece came from but I know it caused me a week of grief!
Thanks for the posts!