I still hadn't definitively figured what took this car off the road 12-13 years ago. Until now:
Snapped timing belt? No, all belts intact, but the motor won't turn.
Primordial reversion of fuel system to ferrous oxides? It definitely would not have run now, but was this the root cause or just a symptom of sitting?
This afternoon I started stripping the car's engine in order to remove, clean and/or replace its external parts so I can dress the HondaDustR long block I have waiting.
To get the bell housing off I had to undo the clutch bolts - couldn't move the release bearing shaft; one of them had to be drilled (thank gawd for genuine RIGID drill bits .... one of those items where you most definitely want to Buy American!) That allowed the housing and clutch to come off into my be-gloved hands, revealing this:
That MUST be it.
Its remaining chunks are wedged into the pressure plate. I know this is old hat to the real transaxle folks here, but .... wow. The last few yards must have been rough.
John