SUCCESS; got the pump to prime and have begun bleeding. thanks to everyone who helped, especially, jim, fred, and colin.
jim suggested that I fill the pump cavity and hold the unit upside down to get the flow thru the channels towards the accumulator.
next, I attached the motor, and pressurized to 30 psi. energized the motor, and in less than a minute I was getting gurgling and then
fluid from the orifice where the hard line routes to the solenoid. bolted PSD back in place, connected the plugs, and all good!
while I had everything apart, I replaced the O rings for the accumulator, check valve, and the pressure switch. Accumulator and valve O rings were fine,
but the pressure switch O ring was hard and needed replacing.

I have bled the solenoid successfully, but not sure about the slave. using the hammer, I am able to pulse the solenoid, but the flow is
small, and is in sync to the pulses. is this correct? or should I be getting a consistent higher pressure steady flow, similar to the solenoid?

here is a repeat of the WSM instructions for bleeding the slave. they mention attaching a bleeding cylinder and for it to be switched on.
is this a suction devise? can I/should I use my mity vac? what is this bleeding cylinder?

. Bleeding the valve block and the locking line to the lock slave cylinder

Connect the 9288 system tester (hammer)
Switch the ignition "ON"
CONNECT THE BLEED CYLINDER TO THE BLEED SCREW ON THE SLAVE CYLINDER (????)
Open the bleed screw on the slave cylinder
Select "Start PSD Bleeding_ and actuate repeatedly until no further air emerges
THE BLEEDING DEVICE MUST REMAIN SWITCHED ON, because the reservoir volume is used up rapidly (???)
After this, close the bleed screw on the slave cylinder
Select "Stop Bleeding" and "Start Pressure Reduction" at the system tester
SWITCH OFF THE BLEEDING DEVICE AND DISCONNECT IT (???)

Merchauser