fuel pressure at 8psi

i have an issue with my fuel pressure.. i have a holley black electric pump and a qft bypass regulator. i cant adjust my pressure below 8 psi. i took the regulator apart and all was clean. fuel pump was clean and found to have no issues.. before we had good pressure but we had to change my fuel system and now this issue.. the changes we made was lower the fuel pump to level with the bottom of the fuel tank.. before it was higher and wasnt keeping primp. i also removed a fuel filter before the pump but plan on adding a new one once i order it.. so now im lose as to y my pressure wont go below 8. i have the regulator adjusted all the way out.. what could be the issue.. i have 5/16 lines for return and for feed. my carb is a QFT 850 double pumper