OK, I think I understand. Fuel sprayed out when you removed the damper to change it. Is that right? And when you (after having cycled the pump several times) depress the schreader valve on the rail nothing comes out. Is that right?
https://www.google.com/search?q=ranger+fuel+rail+schreader+valve&oq=ranger+fuel+rail+schreader+valve&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i64.16467j0j7&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=122&ie=UTF-8
How it works: Turn key to on, the fuel pumps runs for 2 to 3 seconds (it gets 12 volts from the fuel pump relay) and then the computer shuts if off until the engine gets above around 300 rpm. On a running engine if for some reason, the rpm drops below say 300 rpm the computer shuts off the pump. Not sure if it also shuts off the injectors.
So with engine off, turn key to on, pump comes on for 2 seconds. It does that each time from off to run and increases pressure about 15 pounds in those 2 seconds so it takes about 4 cycles to build pressure from zero even with a new pump.
Go to start and the engine turns over and computer fires plugs and injectors and fuel goes into cylinders. Engine starts and key is back to run and computer turns pump back on when engine get above 300 rpm. It stays on until rpm drops below 300 rpm.
So, you have pump on for two seconds. Have someone turn key from off to run while you listen with your ear to the fuel filler with cap off (you will hear it run). Do that three times. Now depress schreader valve. If there is air in the system you should get air and maybe fuel out of the valve. If you get any air do this until it is just fuel. If you get nothing, then the pump is running; but, not pumping or you are correct, something is plugged up.
If you get fuel out of the schrader valve; but, the plugs are dry after trying to start, it is the injectors, they are not firing (test and look for a bad fuse). If they are wet, you have spark problems.
By the way, if you try to start with the throttle wide open, the computer will not fire the injectors. And also, since you said you were unsure about some stuff, you can go to autozone.com and do the signup thing, they have a really good repair help section.