First check to see if your spark plugs are firing. Pull a plug wire off of a spark plug and clamp the end of the wire to a metal object such as a screwdriver and hold it about 1/8 inch from a good engine ground ie engine bracket or similar grounded piece of metal on your engine (make sure and hold the insulated handle of the screwdriver or you'll get a surprise). Have someone else crank the engine and see if there is a spark between the screwdriver and the metal piece on the engine. If you don't see a spark the problem is most likely a bad coil pack in the distributor or less likely a bad distributor. If you do have spark your problem is most likely a fuel system problem. Make sure the fuze for the fuel pump isn't blown. If it's good you can disconnect the fuel line at an easy to reach space in the engine compartment. Place a soda bottle or other container over the end of the fuel line and have someone crank the engine while you watch for fuel coming out. If you see no fuel flow you probably have a dead fuel pump.
it is behind the starter. You will have to remove the starter to get to it.
my 1999 chevy tahoe 5.7 was located in front of the oil pan, and not above the starter as so many said it would be....
Yes it is.
THE CRANK SENSOR ON A 97 5.7 IS LOCATED UNDER THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BETWEEN THE PULLEY AND THE OILPAN. SLIGHTLY TO DRIVERS SIDE
can you cranck the engine by hand
It is on the passenger side of the timing cover that is on the front of the engine.
It is bolted in the side of the block BEHIND the starter. You will have to REMOVE the starter.
It's on the bottom front of engine right behind the vibration dampener.
check the battery
It does not have one. It don't even have a distributor in it. You either have a bad cam sensor or crank sensor if it's not firing.
tighten the nut from the starter to the solenoid
That engine don't have a timing belt. It has a chain and gears and it would crank over real easy/freely.