[Turk]

Buzz,
I can't help you with your brake or clutch fluid , but here are some thoughts on your mechanical fuel pump.

If it is shinny and chrome looking, it is more than likely, you have a cheap made overseas Holley.
I went through two of them in nothing flat. When I called Summit for a replacement they were 30 days back ordered.

How many Big Block Fuel pumps do they sell? Did they all broke down?
When is the last time Summit had anything on back order for 30 days or more?

It seems the new generation of Holley Fuel pumps are sub-contracted to some unnamed company in an unnamed country, and they are POS..

Get a Carter, and be done with it.

TURK
If your pump is not a Holley, my apologies to Mr. Holley.