Startup with new carb, new fuel filter?

Is the arrow on the filter pointing toward the carb ? Some filter contain a check valve that will allow flow only one direction.
I would take the fuel line back off of the bowl inlet and see if the fuel pump will send fuel up there.

Yeah, the arrow is pointing towards the carb. Just installed the filter in the same direction as I had it before when it was working. I'll try disconnect the flex line to the bowl inlet and see if fuel comes back up.

I need to pick up some new starter fluid anyway.