85 Corolla 5 dr Hatchback Won't Start

[85HILUX2WD]

I've been recruited to help with a friend's 85 Corolla hatchback that won't start. I appologize as I don't have a lot of details yet since I'm going to look at the car tonight. Here's what I know: She ran the car out of gas 3 weeks ago. She put some gas in the tank(I don't know how much) and the car won't re-start. I'm assuming this Rolla is carb'd based on it being an 85 but I suppose it could be injected. Here's my plan:

Carb model would have a mechanical fuel pump correct?
If so I'll see how much gas was put in the tank. Then I would assume its an air issue in the fuel line between the tank and the pump. There is no way to prime a mechanical fuel pump so I'll shoot starter fluid down the carb and try to get it fired up enough to start pulling fuel again. Any suggestions?

Fuel injected model would have an inline electric pump somewhere......is it in the tank itself? Here I would key on and off several time to try and prime the pump so fuel is returned to the fuel rail. I'll also check the relay and all fuses to make sure nothing is blown.

I'll also check the fuel filter, if its accessible. Any other thoughts or suggestions here? She lives in a condo so I can't get too deep in her parking spot so having a direction would be very helpful.

Thank you

[verlaryder]

What happened when you shot starting fluid in the carburetor?

[85HILUX2WD]

Well, I got over there and was all ready to deploy my starting fluid. I opened the hood and found it was in fact a carb'd model. I keyed on to see if the fuel gauge registered. She didn't know how much gas she put in. The needle moved just a hair above empty. I pumped the gas hard once to set the choke and tried starting it. It cranked with plenty of power but no fire. I punched the gas a second time and tried again. This time it sputtered but still no fire. I waited 10 seconds and tried again....BOOOM, she fired right up. I think she just wasn't setting the choke correctly after running it out. I didn't even get to catch anything on fire! Suffice it to say, she was impressed and very very happy. Another Rolla back on the road!