I just installed a brand new motor due to my old one blowing a head gasket. It is a 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 with a 5.9 magnum motor. The motor will not start. Once and a while it will get an occasional stumble and sound like it may start but never does. Brand new plugs, cap, rotor and wires, and a new crank and cam sensor. The motor will not even start when using starting fluid and it has spark. The fuel pump is turning on too. I tried changing out the pcm with another one and it made no difference. All ground wires that I can see are hooked up. Is there something simple or stupid I may be missing here? Im running out of ideas. Thanks

 

Check fuel pressure on the rail. If you are renting the tool Aldi rent done noid lights to see if the injectors are pulsing on and off

 

I will recheck the fuel pressure again. I used a noid light, all injectors are firing.

 

You said you are getting spark, is it a good spark? Not weak? If it is a strong spark and it is indeed missing fuel your fuel pressure should be really weak.

 

Have you checked your fuel sync?

 

X2! New motor means you probably used the old dizzy. It needs to be at TDC #1 ON THE COMPRESSION STROKE. It should look like this...

 

I've been blessed to never have to replace my crank sensor (96 dodge ram 1500/5.2). However, is your replacement a mopar part or an aftermarket? Next, what atomdog says is gospel on these computers. It's been my experience, if you're too far out on the "fuel sync" they won't even fire up, much less run worth a hoot.

 

If you have good spark and it doesn't even try to start with starter fluid then I'd guess maybe incorrect timing...

Like Moparite said, my first guess would be to make sure that your distributor timing is not 180 degrees out.
It's possible to accidentally set it to number one on the exhaust stroke. It wont run that way obviously.
SO, you can take out the number one spark plug and turn the engine by hand from the crankbolt with a socket.

You can feel when the compression stroke pushes air out on your finger in the #1 spark plug hole.
As this is happening, take out your finger and insert a plastic straw.
Then continue to slowly turn the crank and see when the straw peaks and dips back down. You now know the engine is in TDC on the compression stroke.
Next step you can look at your rotor position under the distributor cap. See which post it is nearest.

Remember if base timing on your engine is something before TDC or something after TDC then you need to consider this. Anyway, this should help you find the #1 firing position and make sure your distributor is going to the right place. Follow that Pole and make sure it goes to #1 ( or whatever firing order specs you are following. )

I hope that's helpful!

 

It is a factory mopar crank sensor and ignition pickup. The timing was set at #1 TDC and I aligned the rotor to the cylinder #1 mark on the ignition pickup plate in the distributor.

 

well if you have timing, spark and fuel ( starter fluid) and its still not starting, time to dig deeper...

I know you said you tried with the starter fluid and also nothing, so that means maybe either no spark / improper spak or ... gasp... no compression / no airflow.
I'd double double check that the spark is adequate, not just present.
Also make sure your battery is not low. Some vehicles will turn over, but not start when the battery is low.

Any chance maybe you routed some spark plug wires wrong?
I like to write the firing order right on the distributor with a high vis marker and follow each wire.