To me, it sounds like something is not right with the speed sensor or it's set up, in my understanding, the DME will only provide fuel if it senses that the engine is turning over. Perhaps, when you get her going with ether, (ie. 1000 rpm)there is "enough" signal to keep her going but during crank over the minimum condition is not met. Cheers

Found the problem. Decided this am to go thru all steps again and to check for missing ref indicator on the flywheel. When I removed the bracket it was immediately apparent that the ref sensor was not seated completely. I reseated it. regaped the bracket and it fired right up. Went back and checked the the VAC on ref sensor when cranking and it had gone from .045 to .12. In retrospect that initial measurement should have been a tip off but i just attributed to a 20+ yr old Fluke meter being a little off. Thanks for all the input now I just need to get it put back together up and try out the new Steve Wong chip Al

Congratulations!