No fuel to carb 66 I6 230 tank outlet obstructed?

[kxxr]

Greetings all,
First post, long time lurker. I saw no fuel getting to the carb and immediately thought I had fuel pump problems. I realize now, of course, that I should have tested the pump while it was still on the engine, but no, I did not do that. I took it off and took it apart. It seems to move air and looks ok to me, but I am no expert. I have a couple of questions now and hope to get a little trouble shooting help.
I cannot blow any air back into the fuel tank through the tank outlet line. Is there a filter inside the tank or in some other place between the tank and the fuel pump?
In the upper body of the fuel pump, there is a small part about the size and shape of a nickel that appears to rattle around a bit when I tip the fuel pump and activate the arm by pressing it on the concrete floor. Should this part be able to move freely when the arm is depressed?
I put that piece back into what appeared to be it's logical position when I reassembled the pump, but it is able to rattle around some when the rocker arm is depressed, is that a problem?
As you can tell by my questions, I am no mechanic but would very much appreciate any advice anyone can give. Thanks. kr.