OK, the beast died in a 113F Kroger parking lot. Just would never crank. Even with ether assist. Towed home, tried in the morning, and presto! Started in first click of key.

I drove it to the mechanic. (He loves puzzles!) I asked him about the vacuum regulator and the small hard tube to the rubber valve cover/air cleaner tube. He said that this does not pull vacuum, but is there to vent raw gasoline in case the vacuum regulator fails.

We have heat-index in the 100s this week. The mechanic has the car.
Time will tell, and I hope to post a success story.

__________________
BnObob (for the fallen flag railroad.)
Artic "Snow" White 1989 300E, 124.030
w/ M103 engine, and 106K orig miles.