(Fuel pump) Purpose of bucket, and other questions

[Ted]

Ok guys, I got my pump all apart and i'm putting in my new pump, a walboro 255. I have a few unanswered puzzling questions. First of all i'm trying to figure out what the purpose of the bucket exactly is. Both vent hoses connect to it, and I would imagine that it just keeps the pump in place. I been reading on the LT1 boards that some people use it, others do not. Now i've read that some racetronix pumps need to have the hole cut in the bucket and this is why they worry about using it because unfiltered fuel can bypass the strainer and get into the pump. According to the "bfranker" walboro install guide I shouldn't have that problem and the walboro should fit right in the bucket without any modification. All I have to do is stick it in and re-seal the top with a fuel safe epoxy. Which brings me to another question. I found tons and tons of dirt in my bucket when I took it off. What is happening here? My bucket appeared to be sealed, the strainer was pretty dirty, but how would all that dirt get into that bucket. I'm a little bit baffled at that. Apparantley it was a problem because my pump isn't working anymore, lol. Now should I use the bucket or should I not? I could risk getting more dirt into the bucket by it not being fully sealed, or I could leave it off and I would have the strainer directly connected to the pump. Can anyone help me here?