I have a 97 t100 3.4. 167k. Starts hard after it sits more than an hour or so. Once running it runs and idles fine. New fuel filter plugs and wires. Didnt seem to make a difference hitting it with a shot of starter fluid. Seems to catch slightly faster if i cycle to key3-4 times before turning it over. Still takes 1-2 5-10 second cranks. Fuel pressure test next? Thanks in advance for any ideas!

 

Sounds like a fuel issue. The pump shouldn't even run until you're cranking since I don't think it has a pre-pressurizing stage in the on position. Maybe it's losing it's pressure while its sitting and takes a while to re prime itself. bad injector potentially if there are no external leaks.

 

Check for leaks at fuel filter since lines were opened. One way to lose pressure.

Good batt charge? Quick to find with a multimeter. Test before the first crank of the day, not after engine's already been warmed up. Verify clean and tight posts and terminals.

Does it ever just make a click sound when you turn the key to START/RUN? Meaning, it doesn't crank?

Injectors, typically it would run with performance issues. Would consider if nothing else.