Accelerator Pump Issue-New 97s

[Shoebox]

I bought two New 97s from Uncle Max about 7 years ago, didn't need them at the time but I knew I would someday, and I remembered all I went through to get two originals working before. Well here I am all ready to fire the 276 in my '51 for the first time and...... I have no squirting going on in either carb, accelerator pumps not pumping. I have electric pump regulated to about 2.5, I believe the bowls have filled, looking closely I can see "dampness" of the top gasket. I'm not eager to remove carb tops, their still "virgin" but what else can I do? Could the pump leathers have dried out so much as to be unable to move gas? Suggestions most welcome. Thanks.