I'm a younger guy and don't have much experience with older motors. My prior experience with engines is "turn the key, it works immediately". A few months ago I got a 1987 Ranger 375v with a same year Yamaha Pro V 150. The first couple of times I took the boat out I had a hell of a time firing the motor. I was so worried that something was wrong with it. I would turn the key and it would sputter and die. It was only later that I realized older carbureted motors are quirky and need specific cold start procedures. I wish I knew that before, I was freaking out something bad happened like water got into the tanks and engine that I literally drained 15 gallons of gas out and added new gas. Lesson learned.
I think some other people above said it best. Don't rush, don't panic. I thought I had a bad situation, panicked, and ended up me costing time and money.