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Failing at startup is probably the best case scenario for not bending a valve. You might've gotten lucky. Don't know that I'd bet a grand on that, though. Before throwing a belt on it, I would stick a borescope down the plug holes and see if you can find any obvious valve marks on the pistons. I did that on a VW once, told us real quick that the engine wasn't worth messing with. (That one let go at highway speed.) If you don't see valve marks on the pistons, throw a belt at it (+1 for doing it yourself!) and see if it hits on all six.

Oh, gawd! So much salt on the roads where I live in winter. Just a car body killer.

Don't have the time or confidence in my abilities to do it myself. And yes, it would be great to spend the $1,000 and have it fire up OK and that be the end of it. But probably more likely I'd be out the $1K with nothing to show for it but an engine that is an oversized paperweight. Leaning against doing it for that reason and because with advancing rust and other smaller things going wrong, feels like I should move on, offer the car on Craigslist for someone who might want to part it or take the chance on repair themselves if they are handy with a wrench. Might look to upgrade to a used Armada that has more cargo capacity, bells, whistles and (gasp!) airbags. Will keep lurking on the forum and maybe someday pick up a used Pathfinder again. I've driven one for 30 years now, having bought one new in 1995 and only gotten rid of it in 2014 due to advacing frame rust. This current one I bought over this board at that time from (former?) member ahardbody. Been a great truck - lasting 11 years for a $2,500 purchase.

Awesome first rig for your boy! A great platform for him to learn how to maintain cars, and it will take him anywhere reliably. My WD was my first 4wd and it gave me such a sense of freedom (still does 20 odd years later!!), glad to hear your Son will get to take that journey, enjoy!

So the '94 had been operating fine tho with rust and various minor things going wrong, but now engine may be goner. Drove it the other day on errands and it seemed fine, no warning lights, nothing unusual. Got out to start it again after making my second stop and crank but no start. Had it towed and shop says timing belt not moving, appears damaged. So that raises the obvious question of pistons/valve damage, seized engine. They said they could put a new belt on and see what happens, but that would be the $1,000 gamble that doesn't pay off. Because this happened on a start and not while driving, I do wonder if the valves and pistons never got the chance to slam together? Curious what others think.