Sounds like air is getting in the lines from somewhere. How does it run once you get it started? If there is some (or a lot of) white smoke, it could be timing. At $900 sale price, it could be why it was so cheap. Could also be injecotr pump- some parts could be leaking internally or worn out, so it doesnt hold its prime.
Anyone else? I'm by far not a guru on this topic, or any other for that matter. I do know the VE should pump enough fuel at start up to start; not sure how, but I've read that the VE flows a ridiculous amount of fuel to start the engine. Must be why mine starts at 20 deg when I forget the intake heaters.
DO NOT USE ETHER!!! I know you hear this all the time for any engine made after 1980, but if you use it regularly, it will cause all kinds of problems, from lack of cylinder lubrication at start up, to blowing the head off when it hits the intake heater. I guess it wouldnt hurt to use a few times to get it started for troubleshooting, but I'd still recommend something else.
Daniel