1985 Evinrude 70 - Hard to start

I have a 1985 Evinrude 70 VRO. It takes forever to start. Once it does, it goes on like a champ. I will pump the bulb quite a few times. Eventually, it will start. Most of the time, I will get it to semi-start and it dies right away. Then, I will start it again and quickly shift it to forward and it will then start up. After that, it is good for the rest of the day. I can stop and start it quite easily, afterwards.

FYI... Over the past two years, I rebuilt the carbs, changed reed valves, spark plugs, gas filter, and all fuel lines.

Are you advancing the fast idle lever for cold starting ?----Are you pushing the key in WHILE cranking it over , yes or no ?