3 problems-Related or Coincidence?

[76was124]

My first problem showed up about a week or two ago on my 81, FI. On some occasions, when I turn the ignition key to start, I hear a relay click in the area of the dual relay, gauges light up, but the starter doesn't energize. If I re-try the ignition key a couple times it fires right up and runs fine. So I was thinking an iffy ignition switch. Grounds and inline dash fuse/holder all look clean.

This morning, while on errands and after parking for about 20 minutes I went to start the car. It would crank, but not fire up. I tried a couple things including disconnecting the cold start injector to no avail. I suspected the fuel pump wasn' t running, but figured the easiest way to confirm if the problem was fuel or spark would be to spray starter fluids into the throttle plate. Since I was at an auto parts store ( lucky day) I spent the $3 for a can of starter. I removed the boot, sprayed the fluid, put the boot back on, and tried to start it. She fired right up, but didn't die as I expected. The car kept running? So for that I am thinking mabye the dual relay isn't firing the fuel pump on the start position, knowing the AFM contact keeps the fuel pump running after the engine gets started.

So I decide to drive it home and then see my third new problem appear, a very jumpy tach!

When I got it home I opened the hood and could hear a very noisy distributor. I pulled the distributor cap and could see that the srews on the plates were loose. I tighten them up, but noticed I still have about a 1/4" of axial play (up, down). The clamp holding the distributor to the cam housing is tight. Is that play normal? Regardless, the gravely noise is pointing toward a distributor rebuild anyway, but I am currious. I hope the seal is intact and kept any pieces out of the cam box!

[RRoller123]

Check the white block connector (can't remember if C17, or 34 or whatever) about 6 inches after the ignition switch, you have the dreaded "click of death"

Pete