Pick-up tube

[rcnight]

Gents - a few questions on pickup tubes. Had to get rid of very old gas in my 82 SF. Original tank. Engine is now starving for gas. Replaced the water/fuel seperator filter. I blew instead of sucking (no wisecracks) the fuel out i.e.: I pressurized the tank with my shop vac. Is there a one-way flow valve or filter on the end of the tube? Could I have damaged the tube somehow. Can I get to the tube thru the gas level sending unit hole. Thanks for the assist.