I have a 2012 Ford F150 with a 3.7 liter engine, 80,000 miles on it. When the engine is cold (after sitting for 4-5 hours), it's hard to start. It will turn over just fine, sputtering, like it's trying to fire. If I pump the gas peddle while doing this, it eventually fires and a big plume of smoke that smells like gas comes out of the exhaust. The truck runs decent after it's started, aside from misfiring when acceperating. The short term trim values are really negative (-20 to -30) at times too. I've changed the mass air flow sensor, plugs and boot, fuel injectors, and the purge valve solenoid. The compression on cylinder 1 is off by 4% and cylinter 3 by 6%. T Not sure if these issues are related or not.
Check out this forum, it looks virtually spot on to what you are describing:
https://www.f150forum.com/f2/3-7l-cold-start-up-crank-strong-ignition-start-weak-402211/
You may have a defective fuel pressure sensor. What codes are showing?
No codes are showing.
I would go with the FIPS (fuel injection pressure sensor) GP Sorensen #800-90040 about $57 at AutoZone.