Thanks.....Re: HELP - '84 5kS went "bang", won't start

["G. Benedikt Rochow" <rochow@segosf.hlo.dec.com>]

I thank you all very much for your helpful suggestions -
they will at least stay in the glove compartment, and some
checks I will do preventatively.

However, after cranking for a few seconds last night to see
that the engine is being turned, as well as the camshaft,
and having the same starter-noise-only situation, 
I was intending to roll it into my driveway this morning
to start diagnostics, and cranked it for a moment, just for
laughs. I heard firing noises. I cranked it again, with a little
gas, and it started! a tad sluggish at first, it went to 
fast idle after I let of the gas after 10 secs,
and it's running just fine. I've driven it about 35 miles since
then, including 2 warm/hot starts, with no problems.

My guess (also based on the fact that the tube with the warm-air
Rube Goldberg selector mechanism was sitting loosely in front of the
airbox) is that it indeed was a misfire, and that the stuck
air flow sensor flap got unstuck by the particularly cold night
causing significant differences in material contraction.


Thanks again.
-G. Benedikt Rochow