Reporting in:

I did the purge. The fuel lines you recommended worked perfect. ACE hardware did not have the coupler to attach the clear hoses to the fuel lines, so I juryrigged a deep socket 8mm socket as a coupler for the inlet fuel line, and simply shoved the 3/8 hose into the return fuel line. Worked perfect.

After 3-4 minutes, the return fuel became dirty very fast. The purge was originally clear with a very slightly pinkish ting, but very soon it became the color of brown mud. I ran it until it was almost empty (used two cans of purge). I will buy a new prefilter and main filter tomorrow when the parts department opens.

Engine runs noticeably smoother. It sounds the same as before, but smoother now. From the driver seat, it's just like being in a regular gasser. If you rolled up the window, you'd never know it was a diesel.

Time will tell if I have power or better mpg.