It will not hurt the engine to try to start it on Starting Fluid, it
generally contains oil. It would be better to use the squeeze bulb, pump it
up tight and choke it good to start it, then you'll have a good fuel/gas
mixture. Before doing much I'd check for spark on all 6 cylinders and check
the compression on all 6. It should be around 120 pounds per cylinder. If
one is radically low, give up on the engine.

Obviously use an "Ear Muff" water attachment on the garden hose.

If you don't have good spark on all 6, give up the packs are expensive and
the engine is getting pretty old to spend too much on it.

Don Dando