1988 Ford Taurus hard start problem

sounds like a sticking choke problem.

Mass air flow sensor. Can be cleaned before you buy a new one

If it's surging, make sure your radiator is full. Do a tune up, plugs, wires, etc. Put some fuel injector cleaner in your fuel tank. On a cold start the vehicle compensates for being cold by adding fuel. Once it warms up the computer tells it to quit adding extra fuel. If it is a bad sensor of sorts, check engine light should come on.

spark plugs work better when theyre hot so change spark plugs,

Could be a vacuum leak.

Check for vacuum leaks

Well it could be valves but it would run rough all the time if that were an issue.
Could be a problem with the choke or something else with the carb.
Is it difficult to start when the engine is warm and cold ?

check ur vacum hoses one must b leaking

Sometimes on cold days if the cranking amps on the battery are low, then it will be hard for the vehicle to start. Also, check the oil level. If the level is low it will create a hard start and rough idle for the vehicle.

try the control module