Thanks for the input. The battery is in excellent shape. The boost pump is running (I've been giving it at least 30 to 60 seconds prior to start). My P-2 switch has the mod that operates it via fuel pressure as opposed to air pressure (if I understand it's function - it would not allow the start to begin or would cut out the starter prematurely if it malfunctioned). I've done about 10 attempts over the past 4 or 5 days (no more than 3 without a full recharge of the battery) and I would think that would have purged any air out of the system-but possibly not. After each start attempt I get about 2 or 3 tablespoons of fuel from the can drains so it must be getting some fuel from the idle mixture jet (I think the micropump ceases almost instantly when the Start switch is set to OFF and the fuel cock closes).