Yes when you turn the ignition on, the fuel pump will 'wurr,' prime like you said! So if there is not a 'wurring' could be the pump is bummed. Could of been an old poopty fuel filter after standing so long has thrown some rubbish into the pump that it didnt like. Pumps aren't cheap tho, I do remember a fella getting a reasonable deal on one of ebay, so maybe if you know someone with a working one, could try that? But i'd definately be changing the fuel filter first (if you hadn't already.)
Also worth checking, there is a fuel pump relay next to the ecu, which could also be causing the pump not to prime, can't remember which is it, but worth checking the terminals on that are clean and making decent contact.