Problem resolved. The new fuel pump assembly resolved the fuel gauge issue but as I was finishing the pump install I followed the fuel line along the "frame" rail towards the engine. Just as the body makes the transition from flat drivers floorboard upwards toward the firewall there is a goofy piece of hard "plastic" section in the fuel line. During the engine swap the fuel line was disturbed causing the plastic fuel line to kink. The kink would allow fuel pressure to build but because of the restriction the volume of fuel was not enough to maintain pressure at the fuel manifold. The beast is back together and ran awesome on it's shake down run. The thunderbolt engine is smooth, quiet, and makes plenty of power. The boy has his ride back and I can go play with my 'vette now!!!