You make a good point about the fuel pump running dry.  When I did this my
van would not start and I was out on the road.  It was either try this, go
for a tow or spend much more time getting much more dirty trying something
more involved and so I reversed the polarity and was back on the road
quickly.  I actually had to do it a few times before I got to my location.
There are surely better methods but if you are looking for quick and easy
and don't mind the risk then reversing the polarity may be worth a try.

Jonathan Poole
'82 ac westy