FWIW, long cranking times are common with these old critters. Carbking was dead on in his first post of the tech tip. My '38 and '53 are both that way. I don't bother to prime. I just make sure the battery is charged, connections are clean and go for it.

Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet.
The three main causes of blindness: Cataracts, Politics, Religion.
Name your dog Naked so you can walk Naked in the park.