[V8] Reference / RPM Sensor Failure

[CoultL at aol.com]

I took the car out today and it drove great.  I got home and tied to restart 
it and nothing…kept cranking.  Let it cool and it stared right back up…
classic reference sensor problem.  I went out for a drive again and pulled codes 
when I got back.  I got:
“2111
RPM sensor
Open or short circuit,
Defective sensor & cables, metal fragments on flywheel teeth”
 
I then attempted to start the car (again, no start, just cranked) and I then 
pulled codes again and got the 2111 again and the
“2112 
Timing (62 degrees BTDC) reference sensor
Flywheel pin damaged/missing,
Mislocated Sensor, flywheel pin, distributor hall sensor out of adjustment”
 
I never had a problem with these sensors before I pulled them to get the 
trans off.  Any idea why they might pick now to die?  I wonder if my adding some 
insulation between the sensors and the heat plate has anything to do with it.  
I guess with 120k on the clock it is just time.  My question is, can the 
reference sensor also trigger the RPM sensor fault code?  I though if the RPM 
sensor quit the car should have stalled.  I would much rather just replace the 
reference sensor.  TIA.
 
-Justin