it seems that on certain occasions... usually when the car is first started, that the right turn signal seems to be shorting out. It will be working, but in a very weird patten and the voltmeter will start diving almost to the bottom. Only seems to happen to the right side, but then this will go away. Any ideas??

Rust in the socket and on the surfaces of the screws to the bumper could possibly cause this. Wire that has rubbed against the body for 2 decades might also have worn thru.