Starter clicks using the key, engine starts by jumpering the relay

Righty Tighty said

I’ve been replacing wiring as I can afford it

Click to expand...

Did the key ever start the car correctly?

If so what did you do to the wiring since then.

As for grounds....

Thru the years that's have been changs, but in 67 for example.

There was 1 heavy guage wire from the battery negative to the intake or front of head / block.

Then the braded wire from the passanger side rear top of intake (by diston SB) to the firewall. Later years added a ground from the batt neg to the core support. And maybe others.