MG Car Repair: 1978 Midget Hard To Start, valve clearance, compression test

Question
I have a 78 midget that is hard to start. It seems like it might loose the fuel prime. If it has been sitting I can only get it started with starting fluid. Is there anything between the fuel tank and carb that I need to check? I replaced the carb with a Webber and still have the same problem. Also someone suggested it could be the old distributor. Please help. Thanks Tim

Answer
Tim, you may run out of money replacing parts until you hit what is making it hard to start so you need to start testing to find what is wrong.
First run a compression test. (throttle open and at least 4 or 5 revolutions on each cylinder tested.
Let me know the readings.

Check the valve clearance and adjust if necessary. Let me know what they were at.

Set the ignition timing to specs (exactly)

Clean and gap the plugs.

Check to see that the choke is working.

let me know the results of all this.
Howard