Classic/Antique Car Repair: use of starting fluid, electric fuel pumps, crankshaft bearings

Question
Hello Dick - I very much enjoy your advice. Recently you mentioned that the use of starting fluid (ether) could be harmful to the engine. I have two old cars, a 1949 Packard and an 1948 Buick that I sometimes don't start for two- three weeks. Altho I have electric fuel pumps on both (in addition to original mechanical pumps) I sometimes prime the carb with a spray of starting fluid to avoid prolonged cranking thus saving wear on starter and battery. WD-40 works just as well as ether. Is it also harmful to the engine, and if so why? Thanks for your help.
Charlie Cain
Texas

Answer
I have also used WD-40 for this purpose in a pinch, but I much prefer to avoid both things.   If you just put about 2 onces of gas down the carburetor before cranking it, it will start immediately. Since you have an electric pump, you should be able to do this simply by running the electric pump, then turning off the ignition for a moment, and giving the accelerator about 10 pumps, then turn the key back on and it should start immediately for you. I do exactly this on my 47 Packard and on my other old cars.  

I don't use starting fluid because when it first fires, it gives a heck of a kick to the bearings - you can hear it bang when it fires - I'm sure this is super hard on the crankshaft bearings, and everything else that takes the bang.  I think WD-40 doesn't explode with quite as much of a bang, but I think gas is a much better idea!

Dick