RP,
Great work there. You mention running a new line.... I'm not convinced it's at all necessary. You said yourself that you got the pump running real well at the end when you put lube on to the old fitting. That tells me your line is good . I would just plug the skimmer old threaded hole from the skimmer side, get the proper fitting and connect the new side with the original suction line. You will be good that way it seems.
Great work there. You mention running a new line.... I'm not convinced it's at all necessary. You said yourself that you got the pump running real well at the end when you put lube on to the old fitting. That tells me your line is good . I would just plug the skimmer old threaded hole from the skimmer side, get the proper fitting and connect the new side with the original suction line. You will be good that way it seems.