In my experience with my old cars it's an issue of the fuel pumping up after not being started for a while. I try to at least start them up every other week and move them a bit. Saves on the tyres too! Really nice car! Mum and dad had a mk. 1 escort that in fully classic way rotted out completely. They had a mk II but got a four door citroen ZX after I've been born.
Nice car! I have had a few Escorts over the years and other ford powered specials and mine started much easier than that - twin forties are normally good for staring - remember they were standard on most alfas and those were also very good starters . But you do need good fuel pressure (3.5 psi) I wonder if yours has one of those fuel regulators in line with the carbs, they should be on the return? Normal start should be to give two squirts of the accelerator turn key and hey presto! I would love to get stuck into that - I would keep the carbs sounds like they need a rebuild but they are really good compared to the standard set up!
