What do you have for ignition setup ? Have you setup everything on a dyno or wideband ? On my PRO OUTLAW car it fires up almost immediately but I am only running a 600 Holley double pumper w/mechanical secondaries. I unhooked the rear accelerator pump as it is not needed. I would NOT use starting fluid on a regular basis , matter of fact I have never needed it on my race car. I know you probably have a bigger engine ( mine is a 2387 /366 rwhp) that needs that much carb but it shouldn't flood easilly if set up properly. My carb is mounted sideways with the linkage facing toward me when I am standing behind the car. If your ignition system is doing its job , if the timing is set around 25 degrees , if the intake manifold is shaped properly so no low spots can collect fuel, if your secondary accerator is unhooked , if all the stars are in alignment then it should start right up, hahahahah Mike McCarthy
this is an old pic, I have changed carb since it was taken,