Well you eliminated a few things and you definitely did not waste your time or money. It sounds to me like there is no spark. I have read that one thing that causes no-starts on these cars is the crankshaft position sensor. It can go bad without setting a code to the computer so you will not get the Check Engine light for this every time. You could go ahead and replace the sensor, and they all eventually go bad, so it's not like you are throwing good money after bad. it is located in the back of the engine, on top of the bell housing of the transmission. It can be difficult to remove since it has been in there for 18 years or whatever. But that still might not be the problem.

Oh yeah you can get a Mityvac vacuum pump from AutoZone on their free tool loaner program.

Unless someone else here has another idea it might be best to take it to the indy, unless you have the time and the mental capital to mess with it and can afford to leave it parked until you can get to it. A No-Spark situation will eventually yield to patient logical troubleshooting (you) OR to someone who knows, by past experience, the things to look for on these cars (the indy).

Either way, please do report back here what you find so we can all benefit. Thanks!