Before you get too involved in pulling shit apart and fiddle-arseing about with things that may well be best not disturbed, hows the fuel filter?
Do you have flow at the line before the filter?
It's probably about due for replacement anyway, so why not whack a new one in and then see if the car shows a bit more enthusiasm to proceed in the desired fashion. It would save the fire risk of running the pump with open fuel lines and splashing fuel from arsehole to breakfast!
The proper way of doing it is to use a fuel injection pressure test gauge, with the suitable adapter fittings.