At this point, you have to pull the distributor and drive, and prime the pump. Turn the ignition on and see if the light goes out.
Did it make any noise? Any doubts, take the sender out and plug a wet gauge in to see what's really going on. Don't start it until it's right.
Yes, I'm wondering about the noise too. Hasn't said but I feel certain there'd been lifter noise if oil wasn't getting pumped. Like you said, prime with a drill. I'd still cut the previous filter open and see what's inside and yes check the light's operability.
