The rich running and hard start almost have to be related but, try this. Wire up a light directly to the fuel pump ( if you have 2 pumps, use 2 lights ). Turn the key to the on/run position and observe the light, it should be on for 3 seconds then shut off, turn the key off and repeat the cycle a few times. Crank the engine and see if it runs.

If it starts easily you are not building fuel pressure rapidly enough / have a leaking check valve.

I've had CIS cars ( SAAB ) with poor injector spray patterns cause cold start / rich running issues. The fuel gets drizzled in rather than atomized.

Pull the dist cap and rotor, check resistance from the coil end of the wire to the center of the cap then from each outer contact to the plug end of the wire. High resistance here can cause starting problems. Any spark plug will work, no need for the expensive ones.

Check battery voltage while cranking and see how it compares to the spec voltage for your car. ( Do this at the battery and positive side of the coil. ) I've had batteries with a bad cell that would crank all day long but voltage would dip too low and cause electronics not to function properly. This situation is much different than a discharged battery as it is more like installing a 10 V battery then running a 12 down.