Eeeurgh. Sounds like one of my weekends.

Still for all your troubles don't let that bleeder screw get you down. Even if you have to get a new water neck it'll be peanuts in comparison to a warped head. Proably $5 from the wrecker. If No.1 is not firing- check spark first. Its a good time to inspect the rotor cap and button of course- are they ok? If so do you have spark on No. 1?

btw, the bleeder screw has a little nipple at the end to stem the coolant flow when backing it off. On mine it broke off, I guess yours might be the same. Its a bastard, but its not expensive and (generally) I think they tend to need replacing when they get old. Goodluck!