Sounds like you are going in opposite directions with your starting sequence. 6 or 7 pumps on the gas pedal should be about enough to flood the engine if the accelerator pump in the carb is in good shape. Holding the pedal down(all the way) while cranking is what you do to clear out and start a flooded engine. So...it sounds like you are first flooding the engine, then starting the flooded engine. Try playing around with different starting sequences. Pump the gas two or three times and then hold the pedal down a third of the way.
I have an old '76 Harley and after owning it for more than ten years, I'm still trying to figure out the best sequence for kick starting it.
