If you safely managed to blow all the Fuel out of the Fuel Lines that leaves a lot of air that has to be purged out even before it gets to the Lift Pump itself.
After having removed and re-installed my IP on my Volvo and I also changed the Fuel Filter I hooked up and electric Fuel Pump (there is no hand primer at all). Even with the Electric Fuel Pump took what seemed like a long time to get Fuel up to the filter.
I am thinking that the air pressure from an Air Compressor is higher than the Fuel Pressure and it is possible that the air pressure could have disloged/damaged something.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel