I ran out of gas once and after I got gas. The only way I could get it
started was to push the pedal all the way to the floor and hold it there
until it started. But lack of info on your end it's hard to say. I do
know a trick of how start a Vanagon with a bad pump or pressure
regulator if you need it.     Marcus83.5

Thanks for the tips, Marcus... (and everyone else who responded)
I got nearly five gallons of gas in the tank now, and the bus is still
situated on a bit of a hill. It's parked on a city street and I can't get to
any level ground. With the jumpers to the battery, we were able to give it a
good cranking and I held the pedal to the floor till I was blue! Still no
start... cannot even smell gas anywhere in the engine compartment yet and am
now suspecting that by running the gas so low, I got gunk stuck in the fuel
filter. It seems logical but then maybe the pump is out or something..

Dan