chris, thanks for the response.
there is spark. the plugs are dry. unfortunately i am not set up to check fuel pressure and this 740 doesn't make it easy, no shrader. the filter is an unknown factor, but the previous owner maintained the car well so i would speculate it is ok. my previous experience with filters is that they first cause problems under load, not in starting. i agree that the fuel pump is a suspect. my '94 mod. 940 needed a new pump at about 150,000, but there were symptoms leading up to the final failure. i did thump the bottom of the tank of the 740 with no results. i think the cam timing is fine. cranking sounds normal. if it had skipped a tooth or two it probably would at least try to start. this is a dead no fire.

i'm going to get set up to check fuel pressure. with these FI cars it is an essential diagnostic tool

thanks again!