O.F.M..
Yea, I dont build a CR's without one. I put them on the rear crossmember (behind the seats). No it doesn't need primed. Things to check; I assume it has run before so that would eliminate the pickup problem, do you have negative and positive crossed? (Some pumps will blow a fuse, other pumps can run backwards.) Do you have the inlet/outlets crossed? Simple prolems but they have hapened many times!
Rull of thumb on electric pumps: They are meant more for "pushing" than pulling. Most pump instructions are to put the pump within 18"s of the tank if possible.
Hey, let us know what you found out and when it is working for you.
DV