OK, let's be a bit more direct.

1) Is it turning over? I think it is, but from your description I am not 100% sure.

2) Does it try to start at all? Catch, cough or run for 5 secs and die? Again, I am not sure from your description. The later is very important in diagnosing things in the 2.6. Is it turning over fast? Slow? Does it sound normal?

3) Can you describe how it died? Alternators do not usually die abruptly. They can, but I am wondering if your fuel pump croaked. They die suddenly and it is not an uncommon failure.

4) If you disassembled stuff on the driver's side, did you get the MAF plugged back in? Did it get knocked loose?

5) Finally, pull the air filter and toss some ether down the intake tube. Let's see what it does. If it runs, it will rule out electrical and rule in fuel. If it does not run, then we get to look at the electrons. Heck, pull a plug and see if you have spark.

6) When you say "right" side of the engine, I assume you mean the driver's side, which is actually the left. You should have been nowhere near the distributor.

Good Luck,
Michael

PS, Don't forget the check the 4 fusible links behind the passenger(?) side headlight.