"Off the hook" NO start.

[scottfab]

I've read though this three times now. It's hard to know where to begin. It would seem there could be at least 5 different threads started from the different topics you've brought up.
The one overall thing I did pickup on is that many systems have been altered (modified). Because of that I hesitate to comment or suggest things.

The one thing I can say is, anytime you pull out the fuel pumps and attach them to the battery you damage them. They are designed to be run while submerged. Gasoline becomes the lubricant for the bearing surfaces as well as keeping the contacts from arcing in the presents of oxygen. Anytime the pumps are run while not submerged you damage them. If not totally then partially such that you age them prematurely big time.