Crazy! I was doing auto mechanics in 1972 after the big flood in Harrisburg, Pa. A no-brainer approach would start by removing the distributor cap, drying it, then leaving it off For maybe two days to fully dry out the distributor. Any kind of moisture in a distributor will limit electrical continuity. The clicking sound is a standard indication of a loose electrical connection. In non-flood events; when a clicking sound happens when you turn the key, it generally can be remedied by tightening one or more of the connections for positive current, I.e., battery connections are loose, positive battery to starter connection is loose, ground connection anywhere (battery, starter, engine to ground, etc.,) is loose. Never heard of replacing a motor for a loose electrical connection (which is exactly what causes the clicking sound)! They are either naive or taking advantage. Note: flood exposure sometimes causes shorts via crossing circuits, but in the case of getting too much moisture in your distributor, you have to be patient to fully dry it out. It may not be enough to just wipe out the inside of the cap or leave the cap off for a few days. You may have to remove the distributor and leave it sit on a dry rag. If you are worried about your engine being ruined because of water, just check the oil. If there appears to be a white, foamy residue on the dip stick then water has been mixed. Simple, just change the oil and oil filter. Repeat in 3 weeks, after that any residue will evaporate. Back to the distributor (by the way, a new distributor is around $250, much less than a new engine), anyway, a washed-out distributor will not "dry out" in a day or two ( unless you live in Arizona or Las Vegas). It's like the time I accidentally dropped my cell phone in the wash tub at work. Didn't work after that, but I put it in an open Tupperware container filled with rice. Seven days later it charged up and worked. Electrical elves, go figure!
