New plugs and wires today (NGK V Power plugs with Autolite Professional series wires). Wow, smooth idle now.

Old plugs weren't totally worn out but were seriously old. No clue when they were put in, probably over a decade ago. AC Delco plugs and Belden wires.

Now, onto the PB Blastering of the fuel filter and the total rear drum replacement this weekend.

Thanks to the friendly neighborhood mechanic, the rear brakes are done.

Still no parking brake, it appears the cable is frozen and seized from lack of ever really being used. The car spent it'* first 22 years parked in a carport, so grandma never set the parking brake on level ground.

Well, that'* about it for the time being. Suspension work is out of the budget for the currently unemployed. But the Olds starts, goes, and stops better than it has in years.

Gonna do a drain and fill of the ATF soon. Old fluid is still red, but I have no clue how old it is. Not looking forward to that mess, I've gotten spoiled by the AT drain plug on my Subaru.

Good news except for the e-brake cable. Did your friend do any brake fluid bleeding at all?
When it comes time to do the ATF, I would recommend that you use the latest Derron VI (6) synthetic fluid (around 7 quarts) and have a gasket and filter ready to go as well.
I like the quality of the replacement Delco filter & gaskets.