OK, my 87 2.1L suddenly stopped running en route home from work friday.  it was
really weird: in fourth gear, cruising about 45, the engine lost power and
wouldn't respond to any gas pedal stomping.  When i've run out of gas before,
the vans decelerates immediately.  This time it just continued to roll at speed,
minus any engine power, as if there wasn't any compression happening.  Initially
when i tried to crank it over again, alot of blue smoke came from the exhaust.
a couple minutes later after more engine cranking, "dirty gas" (oil and gas?)
pooled below the engine in two spots, one under each bank of cylinders.  the
puddle on the left was dripping from the exhaust union where left pipes join
right pipes.  Not sure where the right side puddle was dripping from.  Like an
idiot i cranked it again, and this time heard "crank...crank...

well that scared me enough to call AAA, and two hours later a  very skilled
driver negotiated an uphill curve in my driveway and left the van where it sat
all weekend.  Now its time to get greasy and hopefully get things back in order.
Which brings me to my original question:

anyone have a design for an engine bay mounted starter, so you can crank the
engine from out back and test things like compression?

now that you all know the story, anyone have any ideas on whats wrong with my
'87?

thanks,  curt.