What could be causing this sputter?

Please learn how to prime your fuel system rather than using ether. It's really not hard

 

Sounds more like its sucking air into the fuel system to me, does it have a restriction gauge in the cab? if it does I have seen the braided line from the primary filter head up to the firewall start leaking allowing air into the fuel. just cap it off at the filter fitting, otherwise inspect your fuel lines for any rubbing or degrading or possible stand pipe in tank issue, check the cheap, easy stuff first.

 

Yes I was wondering myself why you need to spray ether to start?

 

Its like crack for an engine. Once they're hooked they'll need it forever.

 

Crack head.

 

I remember you replaced the primer pump around a year ago. But it shouldn't lose prime like that to use ether every time to start the truck. My truck will sit all winter come spring I'll have to throw a charger on the batteries and it'll lite. I would check into that also using ether all the time isn't good for the engine.

 

Primer pump could be sucking in air.