Truck Repair: 03 dodge 1 ton wont start without help, metal cone, o rings

Question
Hey Cliff
maybe you can help with this one?   Got an 03 24V that will not start unless its given a little ether ( I know thats bad) the transfer pump on the filter wasnt pumping much so it was replaced with the in tank upgrade. this didnot help at all. Local dealership said i needed injection pump,  after replacing that, NO CHANGE...   it runs absolutely fine once it starts, but it litterally wont do it unless you either bleed it, which takes for ever to start, seems like too long, or give it a small shot of ether and it starts and runs fine.  if you shut it off and wait a few minutes it cant be started again.  I asume fuel pressure is leaking somewhere but I am totally lost.  there is no external leaks.  I pulled the lines off and pulled the front 4 injector connector tubes( the metal cone shaped things that connect between the hard lines and the internal injector) the o-rings were in tact not that there cant be one broken in the rear 2.  let me know what you think as I'd really appreciate it.  you sound like a very knowledgeable cummins guy
thanks
Mike

Answer
If this is the old ISB then it is possible that one of the rear o rings is bad.Air in one of those fuel systems is a mother to get started.The way you can tell if it is not the new style is the large electrical connector on the injection pump & lines from injection pump to head for each cylinder.