Lots of smoke, now won't crank.

[Lfd43]

Hey guys have myself a problem here! Last couple days I have had intermittent issues with heavy smoke and a knock at idle. When I accelerated and normal driving no problem. I read a few posts on here as well as talked with a PSD mechanic. Gathered a few ideas and went out to tinker. I took out the fuel filter, only have 2k miles on it, clean as a whistle. I then attempt to drain the fuel bowl, flip the yellow lever, and nothing. So I soaked all the fuel out with rags, and discovered the bottom was covered in gunk. Got as much as I could out with a rag then blew the rest out with air. Blew air down through the drain hole and a chunk of crud came out the bottom. It then drained fine. Put it all back together, cycle the fuel pump a couple times, and go to start, loud knock and won't crank. Tried once more, loud knock, no crank. So was I an idiot and screw up with using the compressed air? I have no clue what I could have done? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!