not getting fuel

[Tony LEE]

"Since we're on the subject of fuel and no one has mentioned it, my personal choice for priming is to pressurize the fuel tank. ...  I'm sure there's fuel plumbing configurations that won't work with that treatment but I haven't met them yet."

My fuel tank (MC8) has a tank vent pipe  that would need to be blocked as well.

[bobofthenorth]

Yep, some of them have whistle valves, some have overflows, some have vents but I'd still rather mess with plugging those than feed it ether. YMMV

[trucktramp]

One thing to remember if you want to use either to start a diesel in NOT to use it on an engine with glow plugs (think genset here).  Some other method is needed.  The 6V and 8V Detroits don't have glow plugs so there is no need to worry. 
Pressurizing the fuel tank will work to as someone else mentioned.  This is a popular way to restart refers that lose prime.  You need a schrader valve and no leaks in the system.

[John316]

Our S60 doesn't have glow plugs . Wish it did though....

God bless,

John

[BG6]

only as a FWIW, WD-40 no longer has a flammable propellant, so spraying it in an engine will only make it repel water, not start. 

He doesn't use it to start, he uses it to LUBRICATE.

Remember, those pistons have been sitting in one position long enough for the cylinder walls to dry.  Ether has no lubricants.  That means the engine will run dry until it starts getting some real fuel.  WD is light enough to be drawn into the cylinders to prevent scoring when they pick up the ether.