Hard starting?

I am getting ready to buy a 00 Silverado 1500 5.3L from a friend that is hard to start. It takes 2-3 attempts before starting like it isn't getting any fuel. Any ideas what this could be? Once it starts it runs/idles fine.

He said something about the fuel gage not reading correct when under a 1/2 tank. Could this be related? This is the only real problem with this truck, My Friend is having financial problems and can't keep up with the payments or upkeep so I'm picking it up for loan payoff (on final year of loan). I plan on tuning it up right away but I'm hoping you guys might have some experience with this problem before taking it to a shop.

Thanks a bunch....

Try smacking the bottom of the gas tank (hard) with an open palm while he cranks it. If it starts right up, fuel pump is on its way out.

Try smacking the bottom of the gas tank (hard) with an open palm while he cranks it. If it starts right up, fuel pump is on its way out.

I will try this... If I remember correctly you can hear the pump click when the key is turned. If not the pump could it be the fuel pressure regulator? I'm just hoping it's not the pump :(

Thanks,
Soupy

I couldn't tell much from hitting the bottom of the tank, it might have made a slight difference.

I just found out that it is blowing fuses but the current owner said that is from running it to low on fuel. I don't believe that. I pick this truck up on Monday. Any ideas if this is the pump? The regulator had no fuel in the vacuum line when I pulled it.

Sounds like the pump to me. GM pumps use the fuel to cool the pump, so it's entirely possible that he ran it out of fuel and smoked the pump.