Can Mice Plug Up a Muffler?

[Tom Wesenberg]

In case you've ever wonderd why your engine can't breathe and produce the power it should, just look at this muffler, which appears to be plugged solid. I was at Cooley's Statewide Salvage yesterday removing a pair of good rear springs from a 1950 Studebaker Champion, and saw this muffler on the same car. This is why it's a good idea to put a tin can over the tail pipe, or keep a cat in your garage.

BTW, Cooley's is a few miles east of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and about 1/2 mile south of Hy 312. They have 40 acres of old cars and other misc. scrap. This is one of the good old junk yards that saves old cars for the parts, instead of crushing everything after they had it for a few months. I did spot a Model A coupe body, but it looked like ratrod material. I saw a Shay roadster and a Model T roadster in one of the buildings. If you need parts for cars from the 40's, 50's and 60's, this is a pretty good yard. Keith Cooley sets up at Iola and that's where I first met him about 10 years ago, when I bought the Model A engine and cowl from a converted saw rig. I need to return when I get time because I still didn't see it all.