I have 1998 F150 w/ a 4.6, the truck has been running great since i bought it a few months ago.
Recently I drove to Alabama from Tulsa, Ok. and back (1500 miles)hauling a pop-up camper, with no problems, when I get home the truck wouldn't start, engine would crank but it was not getting any gas, so i look at the fuel filter and the PO changed it in 2010, (he wrote the date on the filter). when i pulled the old filter, and drained it into a jar, it was filthy, and there was a lot of sediment after i let the jar set for awhile, i put in a new filter, still no start, borrowed a fuel pressure test kit, the kind that connects to the schrader valve on the fuel rail, and got the required pressures per my manual. so i shot some starting fluid into the intake, and it started, it will start on its own if i take short trips and don't leave the engine off for a long time, but if it sets a couple of hours or overnight, i have to use the starting fluid. I even tried Sea-foam in the vacuum line and let it set, still no fix.
the truck runs fine when its running, its just the starting issue.
i was told it could be the crankshaft sensor.
also, the "Check engine" light is not on.
BTW Plugs and wires were changed about a month ago, there is voltage to the crankshaft position sensor, but when i did the check of the sensor itself, I got NO voltage(AC) does the crankshaft position sensor start the injectors' first shot of fuel?
Really need some expert help on this one...
Thanks

 

Here is where you need to understand the whole starting process if your going to have any chance beyod luck.
101 on starting:
Cold start;
1. Ignition in run samples the CHT and IAT values are to determine the starting setup for fuel, igniton timing and IAC opening.
2. The fuel pump is run about 1 or 2 seconds then stops. This is normal.
3. As soon as the crank begins to turn, it's signals the PCM to begin reference timing for ignition and fuel injection.
4. The fuel pump is turned on full time as long as the crank sensor detects rotation.
.
Without a scanner to look at the data, your lost on the outside not knowing what is or is not happening without making specific tests trying to detemine where the fault is likely to be.
Good luck..

 

Make that accelerating rotation.

What was the actual pressure reading in PSI?
Have you tried cracking the throttle 1/4 way while starting?