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You shouldn't have to prime the pump. Oil should come out of the holes in the face that mates with the timing cover after a dozen or so turns of the engine. Oil won't come out of there if the engine isn't turning, unless the engine has been running: then a small amount held up between the pump and the timing cover will come out.

Watch you don't have the oil hoses reversed, feed and scavenge.  When you take the pump off, oil should drain from the tank and dribble out of a hole behind the pump.

The ball valves are needed for the pump to function. They can get dirt under them, especially after a rebuild. Easy to clean out the pump and the valves and tap the balls onto their seats.

While you have the cover off, pump some oil into the crankshaft with an oil can.