How do I tell if a universal fuel filter is installed backwards? I mean, the one I have IS marked IN and OUT, but what if some jerk in Hong Kong assembled it backwards?

I have a fuel pump, compatible with the Bosch 0 580 254 044, which is supposed to be good to 72 PSI. I can't even get 10 PSI out of the thing (and that's with a fuel pressure gauge I know to be accurate as I used it on the other fuel rail... Not the one mounted to the AFPR). Fuel lines are brand new, fuel fittings are brand new (and I finally got the leaks out), fuel rail is nearly empty. I have no pressure. The only thing I can think of is that the fuel filter is backwards and the pump is trying to force fuel past any possible anti-drainback valve that might be in the filter...

 

If you look into the filter on the inlet side there is a block 1/2 in down so the fuel will be forced through the media. on the outlet you can see all the way down to the plug.

 

Never mind... I looked up the actual real instructions for a similar Aeromotive regulator and found out I had the AFPR hooked up backwards (hooked up the out as the in and vice versa). I suppose that's what I get for buying a kit that doesn't come with any instructions . The FPR is set to 50 PSI now and I have no external leaks that I can see (after I tightened each and every fitting on the pump's outlet between the pump and the solid line!).

Now if I could just figure out the following 2 issues, I'll be set:
1. Why I can't get a pressure reading at the Schrader valve on the fuel rail (unless my gauge has gone bad while sitting)...
2. Why the system won't hold pressure when the pump shuts off. Hopefully the high flow pump will help this, but it still bugs me...