Smitty, let us know how this went for you.
guys, a couple of points:
1. don't pump the throttle until you start the prop is spinning, without air movement up the induction, that fuel is sitting in your airbox.
2. I have started an induction fire on an 0-470 in a C-180.....but only on a day with temps below freezing. This sucks, so now I make sure to have the right prime, and I will keep that starter spinning if the pig happens to pop, but not continue running.
3. I agree that most likely Smitty172 has an ignition system issue.......if this has developed slowly, probably magneto e-gap related, especially if he's a Slick man.
4. Agpilot-Dave, number 2 above(!) for me it seems it's a cold-weather thing, 'cause who ever needed lots of prime on a warm day? P.S. On cool or cold days, I go 3 full shots of prime on 4cylinder Lyc.'s and 5 shots on 0-470's for the first start.
5. I agree with SuperMD, that prime will run out of there if you let it. Prime, and start cranking, don't be sitting around in there fiddling with stuff while your prime runs back out the airbox.
MY last point ......NUMBER
6. Killing an engine with idle cut-off mixture is great, but knowing the mag switch is grounding is also very nice......especially if you will be doing the hand-prop gig. So............right before I shut 'er down at the end of the day, I will momentarily kill with mag switch, then bring 'er back to life...then.........pull the mixture out and she's done. This is force of habit from performing the Airworthiness Directive on some switches that require the sign-off mechanic to check the switch operation......I check the switch operation EVERY time on my personal airplanes. So should you!. All of you, every man, WOman, and child who runs these things.