I do appreciate the suggestions. I've thought about putting in a new starter, but hadn't thought about the distributor, but it makes sense.

I also like the idea of adding in ground wires as I've thought that this entire fiasco revolves around a ground. Something seems to be loose or loses connection after it heats up, or something else equally as strange.

Either way, it appears my biggest mistake was buying Ford conversion van with gremlins? Awesome.