Starting engine for the first time...oil pressure

I am ready to start my new 318 for the first time but I am having a few issues with oil pressure. I had everything ready to go and used the starter to turn the engine over, trying to build up oil pressure before starting it. After turning it over for about 1 minute I did not seem to be getting any pressure. The drivers side valves were still dry (I assume oil would be splashing around on them). I have a dummy oil light and it was also still on.

I attempted to pull the oil pump drive gear so that I could stick a priming rod in there and prime the pump, but I don't seem to ever be able to pull the drive gear out from the top. I usually end up pulling the oil pump and pushing it up from the bottom.

So I pulled the oil pan, oil pump, and removed the drive gear (what a mess). Primed the pump (by sticking it in a oil and turning the drive until oil came out the top) and reinstalled it and the pan. I am using a piece of 5/16" hex stock and a cordless drill to prime the pump and engine through the distributor hole but I still do not seem to be able to get any oil into the top of the engine.

I also stuck a wire in the oil pressure sending unit hole to verify that the hidden plug was in place and the wire went in only 7 1/2" which supposedly means the plug is in there.

I am using 10w 30 motor oil, turning the drive rod Clockwise. My question is what type of pressure gauge is everyone using to check oil pressure in the block. Right now I just have a dummy light. What gauge / fitting combo do I need to rig something up to see how much oil pressure i have. I have a compression tester will that work?... any help would be much appreciated.