Hey Rocketman, Yeah I just re-read the info at
http://www.miata.net/garage/crankshaft.html again. Maybe my keyway is worn then. If so that may be the problem. I guess I'll have to take the timing cover off again and check the timing belt gear for wobble.
I did not get a chance to get outside in the rain today to do anything on the car (vacuum leak) or anything. It would be temporary until I got the part.
I'm in Watertown NY 30 miles from the Canadian border.
I did see the following excerpt from that website which I will definitely try before I have to buy and replace the engine.
THERE IS A LOCTITE REPAIR
I will mention that there are successful repairs involving shims, new keys, welding and the like. Probably the best repair is a Loctite fix that has been developed with the direct assistance of Loctite engineers.