old fuel in gas tank

[mexgrhd68]

sorry guys, I know this is a truck website, but I have a question about some old fuel in my sons '74 nova. Fuel is probably about 5 yrs. old, we emptied it and now letting tank air out and hopefully dry up a bit. We just jacked up the rear end and let it drain on its own through the fuel line, prior to that we just cranked the car a little to pump out most of the gas about 15 minute intervals, as not to burn out the starter. Now that the tank is empty and dry, should we go ahead and throw some fuel additive mixed with fuel, and try running like that and see what happens? prior to doing all this car wouldn't stay on, points were burning out, and backfiring alot. Since then, we used a 5 gallon fuel tank and fed to carb, set timing a little, and changed over to HEI. What do you guys think??