Chez,
Trying to answer 3 posts at once, in time sequence. Hope it's not too muddled...

1) on my fuel relay i had to ground 30 and 87 b/c there was no 87/2.
Right—my goof (later relay) Just going to 87 is enough for pumps. 87b powers heating elements in Control Pressure Regulator and Aux. Air Slide (not needed for pump test/running)

2) battery 12V (phew) OK
3) both tanks operational GOOD (but that tank pump hose or filter sock may still be suspect)
4) in-tank pump current 1.59A GOOD
5) main fuel pump current 4.5 -4.6 A MAYBE sign of weak pump. But if pump looks recent, suspect voltage losses in connections leading to pump. Test by measureing voltage AT PUMP when running, and compare to battery voltage (should be little difference. Maybe 0.5v???) Not sure, but check it out before condemning pump.
Could also be a poor pump GROUND connection (under back seat I think). Check/clean all connections (can you use the Haynes diagram?). Then check the running Voltage AND current draw to see if either/both have improved.

6) 30s test gives about 0.5L. NOT GOOD, unless tested at RETURN LINE as the manual specifies. For some reason, they want to see the volume coming OUT of the Fuel Distributor (NOT going in).

7) Does this mean I have to replace the main fuel pump? MAYBE, but could be due to a clogged TANK pump filter sock and/or that short in-tank hose, as mentioned in #3. As a crude test of overall Tank Pumping, take the line off again at the Fuel Filter output, rig it to your container, and run the Tank Pump with 12V to the Fuse 5 Output (right) contact (Fuse REMOVED).

After about 10 seconds you should see a good, steady stream about as large as the hose/line inside diameter. If it's much less, it's likely to be the tank filter sock or a rotton hose. Only way to be sure is to pull the Gauge Sender/Pump unit and check.

8) i was wondering if the fuel filter might be clogged. i did replace it about 30000k ago. OK, they are good for 75,000 miles or more, in my experience..............(but see #13)
9) am i able to do the same 30s test by taking off the delivery line instead of teh return line? NO (see #6)

10) i am going to the wrecking yard...and i do have a car in mind. i will probably pinch. a coil, which i will test; an ignition module (I wouldn't bother with either one. Never failed me.) and the main fuel pump, which i will most likely test between two buckets of fuel or with aq multimeter if possible? (Sounds possible, but be careful about sparks & fumes).
11) I went ahead and tried the 30s test using the delivery line before the fuel filter. i got a litre easy this time DON'T THINK IT COUNTS (see #6)

13)hopefully it is the fuel filter. cheap replacement ($15) At that price it may be an "off brand" that doesn't last like a Bosch. Go for it.

Bruce
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Bruce Young,
'93 940-NA (current)
'80 GLE V8 (Sold 5/03)
'83 Turbo 245
'76 244 (lasted only 255,000 miles)
73 142 (98K)
'71 144 (track modified--crusher bound)
New 144 from '67 to '78
Used '62 122 from '63 to '67