1987 F250 6.9 Diesel Starting

[trbopumper]

Typically, the truck will fire immediately and run for a couple seconds, then die. It takes alot of subsequent cranking to get the truck to re-start and run. Once running, it's fine. If I shut it off, it will re-start immediately without incident. It appears to be a problem after the truck sits for a period of time before re-starting (e.g. overnight). I have already changed the fuel filter and the water separator has been bypassed hence not in the circuit any longer. The tank is full of fuel and is clean. After sitting overnight and not starting, there is no fuel pressure (at bleed valve on filter bracket). I'm thinking the mechanical fuelpump diaphram probably has a hole or tear and is not either providing needed pressure and it's allowing fuel to drain back to the tank.

Additionally, is there a slick Electric Fuelpump retrofit kit to replace the old mechanical beast?

What are your thoughts?

UPDATE!!! I just replaced the fuelpump after checking that it was, indeed providing fuel (opened fuel bleed valve); however, I noticed after finally getting it started that there was fuel spitting out the fuel pump vent hole--a sure sign of a damaged diaphram. It not starts without any hesitation and should run great. I'll wait overnight and try to start again tomorrow which is when I noticed the most difficulty.