one more thing, I am not using my gas tank yet to run this engine off of because I don't want vapors in there while I'm still working in the garage. I just put a short piece of fuel line from the fuel pump into a gas can.
In order to fill the bowls I just disconnected the line from the pump outlet and held it up and poured gas down the line (and down my arm), but most of the actual line is empty still because it is impossible to re-connect it without spilling out all the gas.

Will the pump still pull that fuel out of the can if it starts out with mostly air in it, or do I have to find a way to prime the entire system?

Also, I don't have a fan yet because I need an electric fan due to clearance issues. I have rigged up a box fan and taped it all up to the front of my radiator. Do you guys think it will move enough air to keep it cool?