Jim,
There were two different pet ***** used on '32 fuel pumps matching differences in the pump bodies. The early version is hollow and has holes in the tapered end of the pet **** to permit the pump to be drained without completely removing the pet **** from the fuel pump body. That pet **** version is used with fuel pumps that have no drain hole in the pump body.
The second version of the pet **** is solid and a drain hole was added to the pump body at the same time. The two pet **** versions are the same size overall and can be used interchangeably except if the second version is used on a early pump without a drain hole in the pump body, the pet **** must be removed completely in order to drain the pump.
So, in answer to your question, I'd pull the drain **** from the pump and inspect the seat in the pump body for excess wear and if it looks okay, do as Terry recommends. If the drain **** seats without the spring, perhaps the spring is too long and not the right one for that application.