Originally Posted by
nrpetersen
I find it works well to first just hand prop and let the engine bounce thru compression with closed-throttle-switch-off-mixture-rich to "juice" up the engine, maybe using a little prime only for a cold engine that has been sitting. I then hand prop my J-4A C-85 again on a completely closed throttle. The advantage of closed throttle is you get a momentary vacuum in the intake manifold which will help flash any liquid into vapor.
I think many try to start with too many shots of prime and too much "throttle crack".