Thanks to all who responded, Changed out the crankshaft postion sensor last night and that did it...starts right away runs well and hasn't shut down in about 20 start cycles. Instructions on the CPS call out a feeler gauge check of.020 but I couldn't figure out how to even get one in there behind the harmonic balancer....
Sooooooooooo after considrable thought, I folded up some regular bond paper in half, cut it to about a 1/2" strip and fitted it into the gaps of the sensor which allowed the rings of the harmonic balancer to fir snugly into it. Loosely fasten the CPS to the block, start the HB onto the crank while ensuring all the teeth line up well. tighten the HB onto the crank, tighten the CPS, turn the HB 1/8 turn, pull out the paper and your done! simple fix for complicated "how do I gauge this?"
Have a great Day!
Dubbster