Would a faulty fuel tank selector valve cause 1988 f 150 truck to starve for fuel?

Yes, a faulty fuel tank selector valve in a 1988 F-150 could absolutely cause fuel starvation. If the valve is stuck in the "off" position for one tank, or is malfunctioning and not switching reliably between tanks, the engine won't receive fuel from either tank, leading to starvation. This is especially true if one tank is empty.