Mechanical or electrical fuel pump

Sounds like you have some other problem. Mechanical pump with a Holley on mine and I rarely ever have to crank it for more than three seconds even if I have not started it in a month.
I might get some guff for my suggestion of the Carter silver electric pumps. I use two(one as a backup or both when partying). I have frame canister filters before pumps and -8 line up to a regulator. Besides the fact they are old tech they are unaffected by modern lousy gas and the psi won't upset floats. Just a thought.