The car will run fine but you won't see any benefit. Also, you will get the check engine light on as the catted pipe has a temp sensor. A little resistor in the plug will remove it or a mapper can remove the error.
True I suppose, fuel filters aren't expensive and are easy to change! When I changed my pump I shone my torch into the tank to take a look, looked brand new! So I have no concern with crap in the tank
I wouldn't have thought it would take that long to prime, normally a second or two... the Walbro is quite loud when priming but that only lasts a couple of seconds.
Simplest thing would be to make sure the coil packs are on the right way around since cylinders 1&3 are on the same side... doubt it's that simple but you never know!