It started several times before driving to the gas station, and only after spraying more greasy coolant on the belts did the power steering feel off, just before pulling up to the pump.

I pulled the plugs but haven't checked compression, I'll try that (think I have a compression tester).

what about the water pump and the greasy coolant, not about the no-start sitch, but about it over-heating...ah, doesn't matter, i'll flush the coolant system now that i know it's gunked up...IF I can get it to start and limp home.

you may wonder what causes 6 years of deferred maintenance...undiagnosed ADHD for the first five, two years of unemployment, and a home mortgage payment of $3600 for the past six are all factors. As badly as I've treated this car, it did have a head job, bottom end (re-bore of pistons & bearings, done in the car), and tranny re-build before we got it...someone loved it, I thought it wouldn't be any more difficult than the VW VR6 I built, but we didn't have the money and I've been focused on smaller things like learning about ADHD (Reward System Dystrophy, as i call it now), trying to update my skill-set and looking for work.

Can anyone tell me how to fake the timing chain pin puller with bolts and washers, which size bolts?

I've got a bad cold but will take the battery out to try it again later on, with a spray bottle of water and a can of engine degreaser to see if degreasing the pulleys and alternator help get it started...something's preventing it from starting, and since the worn plugs don't look carbon fouled this time...maybe the cap and rotor got a shot of grease (that just doesn't seem likely, but I'll pull the cap and see).