My 1983 Ford LTDll mid size w/ a 3.8L engine will start right up when it is cold. The problem comes when you turn it off and expect it to start back up when it is still warm. The starter turns as usual,there is gas coming into the carb, the thing just will not re-start. Gas filter has been changed.

1. Do not use starter fluid on a glow plug diesel engine. (explosive)
2. Most likely 1 or more of your glow plugs is out. They are not too expensive and are fairly easy to change. Facing the engine, look on the right side. There is a set of "plugs" with hoses, and a set of "plugs" with wires. You want to change the set of plugs with wires.

If it has not been started in 7 years, you may want to do some internet research on putting cars back in service after storage.
At the very least you would need to drain the gas tank and the engine oil, probably the coolant and transmission fluid too.
Once you refill everything, the engine would need to be cranked with the fuel pump disabled until oil pressure comes up to normal, then you could try to start the engine.
And once you get it started, I would run it for 5 or 10 min then shut it off and let it cool down. Check for leaks and noises while it is running.
I would NOT start it up and expect to drive it any distance.

Try cleaning battery cables and focus on the bottom ends. They're exposed to grease & grime and when hot they expand. I'd start there.

there are several different sizes. it is mots likely 351W engine. but i could also be a 351M or a 400M all of which are v8s

have you got everything plugged back in right? it's not getting the fuel, something did'nt get plugged right

You can tell by your VIN number. Just write down that number and take it into any auto parts store, they will look it up for you. Joe

doesnt matter ,last question this because CSI is on the TV

try checkin your idle air control. most of the time it is a vacuumn line going into intake.pull it off and if the car revs up dont worry, it wont hurt it. if it does simply put it back on, if it dies you have a bad vacumn.

i had the same problem on my truck. go to a autopart store and they will give what is called a block warmer it's basicly a peice that you install on the block of your engine and then at night plug it in to the 110 socket of you garage or out door plug, starts right up in the cold morning just don't forget to un plug it i did lol....... hope this could help you.

It sounds like it could be a problem with the fuel pressure regulator. When the engine is cold, there is a cold start valve that dumps extra fuel to start a cold engine.