Changing Oil Wrecks Distributor Cap

[Tom Wesenberg]

Not really, it's just one of those strange coincidences when Murphy pays a visit and lays down the law.
Two days ago I changed the oil on my 28, and as soon as I started the engine I could tell it was only running on three cylinders. I drove it a few miles around the neighborhood and it never hit on all four. I shorted the plugs and found #3 had almost no spark. I've been running an original single notch distributor body that I bought years ago at a swap meet.

Today I installed another swap meet single notch body, and it's hitting on all four again. Every time the distributor body goes bad it seems to be #3 that gets knocked out of action. Just mighty strange that it went bad just when I changed oil.

Actually Sunday wasn't a good day for me. I drove to Maple Grove to pay my Studebaker club dues for the next five years, and as we were talking cars, I told him about my 1999 Olds and how GM has been known for fuel and brake lines rusting out quickly. Two minutes later I get in the car to leave and my brake pedal goes to the floor. Another brake line just rusted out.
Now, was that perfect timing or what?