[IROC]

If it "cranks and cranks", I wouldn't suspect the battery right away.

Sounds like a potential fuel pressure problem to me or possibly a cold start injector. If your fuel pressure leaks down (due to a leaking fuel accumulator or leaking fuel injectors) the car will be harder to start as it has to crank until fuel pressure is built back up in the system. The warm-up regulator can also cause hard starting when the engine is cold if it isn't functioning correctly.

One thing to try: after the car has been sitting for a couple of days, before you crank it, try removing the air filter and with the key in the "on" or "run" position, lift the sensor beam slightly until you just start to hear (and feel) fuel going through the fuel distributor. The, put the air filter back on and try to start it. If it starts right up, then you have some sort of fuel pressure-releated issue.

Good luck,

Mike