I didn't condemn the distributor immediately. In fact I am still somewhat
skeptical but am prone to give in to the status quo because of time
constraints. I am an ex-mechanic of 20 years. A close friend is an auto
mechanics teacher at the local community college. We have discussed the
symptoms at length. His opinion and others equally or less qualified have
suggested that the distributor is a likely culprit - possible the pickup
or coil? (still waiting to hear from Nissan mechanic friend's opinion).

Some of the facts:
- runs perfect in the AM when first started
- as it warms up, missing gets worse and worse (envision driving normally
for a mile or so before it starts missing)
- eventually will not start at all after stalling
- engine light is ON, but possible only because I have disconnected
sensors while the engine was running (O/2, temp, etc)
- it will not idle after it warms up
- "to me" when cranking the hot engine it feels and sounds like timing is
way off, but I guess the distributor could just be firing erratically
- no smoke, black white or blue
- this started 20 miles after filling the tank (Chevron regular, no reason
to believe it's water in the fuel or diesel since it runs fine when cold)
- "this problem" and steering box trouble both occurred within 2 months of
last car loan payment (ugh)

Thanks again for your comments.