For example, if I block off the exhaust tube and rotate the prop (a few times) would that do it?
If you have muffler pressure fitted - yes.
If not do what I did with my Gypsy Moth with an Enya 80 four stroke which was put a small plastic squeeze bottle on
the fuel tank vent line & squeeze gently until you see the fuel travel along the tube & up to the carb.
Which way does the throat of the carb face, up or down? Enyas face down, if you force too much fuel into the carb
it just runs out unless the engine is inverted in which case you run the risk of flooding the cylinder. On all my models
with inverted engines I just wind them over with the starter until they suck their own fuel then start when they are ready.
John.