Nissan Repair: 94 Nissan Altima Wont start, spark plug wires, nissan altima

Question
Hi,
I have a '94 Nissan Altima.  About a week ago I noticed that the car was missing, at idle and throughout the driving speed range.  It stalled on me while driving to work, but I was able to restart it and get it to work.  I had to really hold down the accelarator though and keep the car in high rpms.  Later, it started up, but then seemed to lose all power on the way home, and died altogether.  After sitting for 8 hours or so, it started back up again, but then repeated the power loss problem within a minute.

The car has fuel.  The battery is new.  The spark plugs are new, and the spark plug wires are 3 months old.  I have replaced the distributor cap and rotor.  I can hear the whirring sound in the fuel tank when the car is turned to the on position.  The ignition coil wiring checks fine.

I don't know if this will help, but as I try and start the engine, it cranks and then I occasionally hear a loud "cachank!" Just one per crank usually.  

My thoughts are the distributor is bad or the fuel injectors are bad, but I'm not sure and I don't want to put the cash down on either one if I am not.

Do you have any suggestions on what the next best step to take would be?  I am avoidant of garages, but if that is the next best step then I could learn to accept that. I am also interested in doing as much as possible myself as for some sick reason I enjoy repairing this hunk of junk I call my car.

Thanks for your Help.

Josh

Answer
Check the distributor for oil on the pickup.  Basically, take the cap and rotor off.  Then, take the phillips screw out of the center of the rotor and make sure you remember the way it went on.  Then take the two screws off the cover and you will have access to see if there is oil getting on the optical pickup that sends the signal to fire the plugs.  My personal bet is yours is bad and that is what is causing the problem.