starting help

yes and I seem to recall my mom getting her 66 Chevelle tuned up every 6 months. or she would say in late fall" time for points and plugs" anything to avoid that winter flood / no start situation. No on the rodents but its possible I see field mice outside every once in a while. I hear moth balls will keep them out of your car.
yup use a half ton of clothes dryer sheets scattered all around engine and interior same prosedure as always , but you never know if somehting got in there