No power, cranks but doesnt start - bad alternator? Or something worse?

You should check to see if your spark plugs became loose and just gently press them down firmly but gently and pump the brake 3 times if Auto and if a MANUEL just put in Neutrual like you normally try to and start the car Dont try excessively just try 3 to 5 times If this doesnt help then you could have a non functioning alternator the alternator will have to be replaced If the car still wont crank you could have a bad battery or spark plugs not working therfore you will have to see a professional and diagnose the problem The help of an ECU could help you pin point the problem so you can narrow down to the actual cause of the problem

The car is manual. When it started dying on the freeway I'd let the clutch out and press the gas and it would just bog out. I have tried to start it a couple times and it just cranks and cranks but doesn't turn over.

Sick Battery Spark plugs or Bad alternator one or more of these things could be the culprit If those dont work then we get into the more expensive things such as Your fuel flow sensor Stuck EGR Valve in which a problem i seen before also i consider has the car been going through regular oil changes If your car does not recieve the needed changes all its life it is bound to crap out eventually Fuel or oil leaks Possibly blown gasket or head gasket Pistons If none of these things work the engine may need to be replaced

I have a 1998 ford escort zx2 and was wondering if the alternator from a 2004 ford focus is compatable with it?