The previous owner decided to spin the distributor whenever he wasn't using the car so that nobody could steal it.

Brilliant, I know.

So a buddy of mine and I pulled the plugs, cap and all to fix what sounded like a slight misfire. We readjusted it and plugged it back in, the car starts fine and the engine doesn't shake at all anymore. Inside the car however there's a significant rumble, the whole car shakes at idle.

We were adjusting the distributor at idle then I spun it a little to much and it stalled. So I readjusted it and then it wouldn't start. Waited about 15 minutes and it started. So I have a feeling that the starter is going.

Further, there is a weird noise, a ticking, but a little different. We think its coming from the belt but I can't be exactly sure.

My questions are:
The whole car shakes when it idles so I know there's a significant misfire. It's gotta be distributor related. What do I need to do with the distributor?

Any pictures/videos or info pertaining to this would be a huge help.

What would be some good plugs to put in for performance? I want to change them anyway. Also what should I do with the distributor? Time for a new one or what?

 

At first just try to adjust the distributor with a timing light to get your timing right, dont just play it by ear unless you have to. Ticking could be from over advanced timing, maybe. Shaking is a miss for sure but there is so many things it could be. As for the distributor you could replace it if you get the ignition timing right and its still doing it, but no guarantees that will help. Sorry im far from an expert haha...good luck!