I got large items in my filter because I punched holes in the screen,in
the tank.Did it with a coat hanger.There is no advantage to doing this.
The large flakes are a mystery.They do not corrospond with anything that
may rust in the tank.Much too large. Like something from an iorn stair
rail.

I would blow the fuel outlet out with compressed air to remove any debri
from the tank screen.Do this with a fuller tank than an emptier tank. Blow
bubbles in the gasoline.You want the tank to drain to see if the screen is
plugged. Let a pint of so drain out. Need to remove all the gas from the
outlet line to see if new gas can get into the outlet,through the screen.

Finally just add a new square filter.This is about all you can do.I dont
think even an old worn fuel pump will make the noise, if the suction is
ok.