Need help. 2007 International 8600, hard starting.

My poor truck is under the weather. Hard starting. Will crank, but no fire without starting fluid. Even if it has been running for a full 24 hours. Shut it off and the truck won't start without starting fluid. Once started runs really good. I have changed the oil and oil filter, changed the batteries, changed the fuel filter 2x in the last month. Both times I changed the fuel filter I had power issues, once changed ran great. Ran a 45k load up and down Rt81 in VA no issues with the hills. The only issue is hard starting. Probably just a coincidence had the turbo exhaust pipe..the 3.5 to 5.5 conversion pipe changed...then the issue started. Any suggestions?

 

No drips under the engine when it has been ideling during loading and unloading.

 

The filter has the inch of diesel in it. Also no engine codes.

 

Would it run fine after starting with a weak pump?

 

My truck only has a water fuel seperator no fuel filter under the hood. Verified this more than once with international corporate and mechanics. It only gets the inch in order for prime. No flutter, stutter, skip, no issue other than not srarting.