I don't like starter fluid, too volatile. It is usually meant for winter as in summer it evaporates too fast. Yes, a gas filter is right inside where the gas line comes to the carb. It's a 5/8" nut on the fuel line and a 1" big nut on the filter body. Hold the 1" or it may come undone with the gas line nut. If you were getting gas you would see it pump out from the accelerator ports when you work the throttle. If not, you are not getting gas. These ports are there so when you want to accelerate, you get an extra big shot of gas, thus the name. Also when you are starting the car, and you 'pump the gas' those ports are squirting gas into the throttle bore to make it easier to start. See that green arm on the driver side top of the carb?. The plunger it is pushing on is the accelerator pump. If you plan on playing with the Q-jet I would recommend getting the Rochester Carburetors book by Doug Roe. It has everything you need to not only clean and re-build a Q-jet- but more importantly- understand what and why you are doing it. The most valuable thing to have is the original carburetor that came with the engine.