Jeff, to help us provide a good answer to solve your priming issue, perhaps you can you briefly walk us through the steps you do when trying to prime? Also, did you fill the pump basket with water and secure the lid real well? Check to ensure skimmer weir is not closed or anything preventing water from entering the skimmer? What is the approximate distance from your pool to the pump? Is the equipment pad level with or significantly higher than the pool? Also, is there a check valve between the pump and the skimmer? After your pump replacement, did you refill your filter housing with water? Open the air release? Not sure how long you actually let the pump run while trying to prime, but some folks lett it run for 3-5 minutes to try and prime the suction line/pump.
I found is useful in a recent personal experience of priming to turn-on the pump for a bit after filling the basket with water, let it try for about 30 sec, then let it rest and try again in cycles. Refill the basket etc. Once I was so frustrated I let it sit for about 15 minutes then it primed right up. Just needed time to settle I guess.