No oil pressure...uhm...HELP

I know this is late, but I always pull the filter off. Any pump "pumps better" if you can reduce suction on the low end (can't change that) or reduce head pressure--by removing the filter.

Fill the filter by hand, then install, and then pull off the oil pressure sender. This also reduces head until the oil gets clear up to that point.

You mentioned turning the crank. That is necessary to line up the oil holes into the upper end to the rocker arms.

It should never take several minutes to prime an engine. A pump that is working will load even a 1/2" drill so that you really have to "hang on"