chevroletfreak

I changed my fuel pump and not it seems as though it is having problems getting enough fuel to the motor. I used a 255 lph pump, but am confused about the install and think that is the problem.

1. Does the fuel bucket have to be sealed tight? (My glue may have broken loose during the install.)
2. My old pump had a rubber grommet at the top of the pump. Is it necessary? It does not fit the new pump correctly.

Bonus question

3. Do I REALLY have to have open splices inside the fuel tank? I had to splice the wires for the new pump and REALLY don't like the idea of open splices with fuel. There were other open connections for the guage and the connectors are not sealed.