There's an old saying in tech support 'Problem Exists Between Keyboard And Chair'

This seems to be a simple case of PEBKAC.

The mechanic and owner of the shop I [mistakenly] had the 'tuneup' performed are certain that the plugs and wires connect without the SAE style knobs on the plugs. [but they keep falling off].

So today, I finally put new plugs in _with_ the SAE knobs, and the wires click into place.

The lesson for Long Islander's is to _avoid_ Country Automotive [Eastport NY], since when they make a simple mistake, they will continually blame the customer for the problem.

Next step, new wires [I don't believe they ever installed the wires that I paid for], new cap, rotor, 'suppressor' housing, valve cover gasket [minor leaks] & upper timing chain seal [classic leak from the description]