[felix_browne]

the sound of your walet hittling the floor or your free time being absorbed by your car is a distinct one indeed. if it sounded like a chain being dragged across a metal garbage can that was more noticable at lower rpms and cooler temps then expect the worst. going from there if the car will start and you don't have a stethascope place the blade of a screwdriver against the timing chain covers and listen through it for any scraping sounds (a very usefull technique). if you hear any turn the car off right away. if the chain is jumping teeth you will hear a dull thudding. if you don't hear that, check compression, and if any cylinders way off you should investigate further to see if the valves or pushrods themselves have been bent. if not set the mix and hope for the best (revs too slowly then too lean, wants to stall on decel, too rich - at this age the factory #s likely aren't the best standard).