Thank you all for the advice on the solenoid. I decided to throw money at it and installed a new solenoid and the problem was solved. The engine now fires quickly and consistently when the key is turned to the start position. I decided to do an autopsy on the old solenoid. I shaved off the 4 rivets and pulled off the metal backing plate and pulled out the plunger that moves ever so slightly when you turn the key. I discovered a thin copper tab that fastens to the internal connection of the I post. It looked like the copper tab had developed a stress crack and had finally broken loose after moving several thousand times with the plunger. I guess my I terminal had not been sending voltage to the coil. Hard starts on a cold morning were the most pronounced symptom.

THANX! for posting what you found ... 

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