Engine problem

1990 ford e150 351 engine. Engine is hard to start. Engine will start but will not run unless the gas pedal is constantly pumped. Once you stop pumping the gas pedal engine dies.

Carbureted or injected??

Sounds to me that you need to check your idle air control (IAC) valve. You may need to either fix its power supply, clean it and its intake passages or replace the valve.

When you’re “pumping the gas” you’re actually giving it air - not gas.