Corolla - Hard Start Help and Distr O Ring

Hello Folks -

I have a 1996 Corolla with 160k miles on it, I have two questions below; one on a recent hard start and another on replacing distributor o rings.

1. I had a problem starting my Corolla in the wee hours of the morning the other day. The car had only been run for less than a minute in the previous 24 hours. The dash lights came on so I think I am safe to rule out a dead battery. A check engine light was on as well, I gave the car a good 6-7 "chug-chug-chug-chugs" to get going and nothing. I opened the hood, poked around for a minute and then in frustration turned the key and let it try to turn over for a good 10 seconds, and slowly, it came to life and I goosed the gas. I have started the car

6+ times since with no problems. Any ideas? Should I replace the starter or was this a fluke? I had a another car that the stated died on and that was a slow process where the starts got slowly worse, not all of a sudden like this. Could the engine have been flooded or something? The only thing I did between the two attempts to start was to open the hood and open the garage door letting a rush of fresh air in.

1. My Corolla also appears to be leaking oil at the distributor, I understand the internal O-rings are a common cause. I seem to be getting mixed signals on the difficulty of removing the distributor, when I remove it is it possible to mark the orientation and carefully replace it without adjusting the timing? I would like to simply pull it out, replace the ring and put it back, some of the various sources I have been looking at seem make it sound like I need to consult NASA to align the bugger! Any advice would be greatly appreciated, and any advice on what else might be leaking in this area (already replaced a clogged PCV). Thanks again!

Blake