"Choppy, though, not a nice consistent buzz. I couldn’t hear the in-tank pump – that’s on my list for checking tomorrow (see below for a longer list) – but I’m not really worried about that (vapor lock is highly unlikely in this sort of weather, car should run fine without the intank pump)."

Choppy is not how it should sound. You're right, vapor lock is not something you worry about in this weather. Maybe you could call it something else besides "vapor lock" to understand why the main pump isn't getting fuel to it so it will run smoothly -- not choppily.

Because you say it runs choppy, I think you have a fuel problem, not an ignition problem. Your starter fluid spritz will help confirm, but consider taking my advice on checking fuel pressure without all the correct tools. It is quick and easy, and you having more than one 240 gives you the opportunity to see how it should feel on a working car.

Run the pump(s) with a jumper and squeeze the return line to feel the flow. If it is flowing back to the tank, you know the fuel regulator is maintaining the pressure it is designed to, taking the leap of faith the regulator hasn't failed in an abnormal way.







--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.