Ever had this happen? (pics)

could have been a rat or something in there...

No.
The only rat was in the car.

I run a Q jet with a cop 318 and stock manifold, top and bottom.
The car gets 23 MPH highway and no ignition or fuel problems.
Probably about 150K on the motor.
No oil buring either.
I almost drove to it that day but figured I shouldn't.
It hadn't been sitting either. Run recently.