starting fluid, very detrimental?

Everything in moderation.

I see guys pour a red solo cup full of fuel into the manifold and wonder why it won't start. You just flooded it!

Fill the bowel if it has not been run in a week or more ( but I doubt it is dry unless it's been months) plus in only a few rotations the fuel pump fills it.

Dribble a SMALL amount of fuel into the manifold

Hold the throttle open about 25 to 50% this allows the fuel vapor to move into the pistons

Then crank for a few seconds

Stop wait for a few seconds and crank again.

If you have a particularly hard to start hot rodded engine, you might need some help with starter fluid.

Just my 2 cents and from my personal experience