[924RACR]

OK, good, yes, now sounds like you've pretty definitively ruled out the electrical problems, so yes, I'd be questioning the pump and it's ability to move fuel.

Just on the off chance - are you building up a vacuum in the gas tank? Sometimes the return lines get clogged. Then again - you'd expect to see a rise, not a drop, in delivery pressure, so that's probably not the issue. Yes, I'm sort of leaning towards a clog in the supply to the pump.

It's quite possible that further work with the car has dislodged more crud in the tank, requiring more cleaning/rinsing. This would also be supported by the pump getting hot as it has to work harder.

You will be able to see into the tank if you remove the sender from the top - it's accessed under the hatch carpet, and unscrews on your car with a bayonet-type fitting.

Might need to remove the hose from the pump and drain the tank, flush it through a few times, see what you get out. If it's all clean, that would kinda support the idea that your pump is dying.

Another test would be to see what happens if you pump from a fresh can of gas, instead of the gas tank, after the car loses pressure. Obviously if the pressure comes back up, then your blockage is confined to the tank, rather than the pump or further plumbing.

I believe there is also a sock-type filter/strainer in the tank, which could be clogging up and releasing. Looking inside the tank should confirm/deny this. IIRC, there is a port on the bottom of the tank, held on by 6 screws, which when drained should allow better access for cleaning, etc. But I'd try running the pump from a clean can of gas first.

HTH...