I've never been inside the tank so am trying to envision the sock thing. Mine has a wally with a stock-type pickup (says the mechanic). Is there some procedure or mod that can be done to get best low fuel pick up?

I'll have to grill him to see if he paid it any attention.

If he used the Walbro but didn't orient it properly, or used the Walbro sock, then he didn't do it right.