I'm thinking "sock" too, and wondering if there's a plugged vent creating vacuum in the tank. I'm familiar with FORD's of that era. They had in-tank electric pumps that worked on the "Archimedes Screw" principle. That design would allow an external pump to pull fuel through. When Ford went to fuel injection, the pumps changed to a Vane-Type and a failed pump had to be replaced. Or removed and replaced with tubing to use an external pump.
Also, many OP's here with external pumps on Ford's have found they don't last all that long. Again, you're working on a Chevy so I don't know how much of this applies, but I hope it helps.
If God's Your Co-Pilot Move Over, jd
2003 Jayco Escapade 31A on 2002 Ford E450 V10 4R100 218" WB