The brown sludge in on the oil cap is normal for your driving conditions. It is condensation from the engine not getting completely warm long enough for it all to evaporate away. The worst thing on a car is driving it just a very short distance. Exhaust systems fail from the condensation as well. Change the oil a bit more frequently and I personally would not use the Quaker State, but to each their own. I'd use straight 30 wt Valvoline or Havoline, a multi grade in those in a cold winter environment.


As for the start issue. It isn't the cam in and of itself. It sounds like it may be too far advanced and is trying to fire when the piston is still coming up, making the starter try to push against the force of the internal explosion. With enough wear on the distributor, the timing gears, the points, etc, the book specs may not hold, that is, they may not be the same every time the motor rotates. Older motors often need to be tuned by ear, and not by the book. Advanced enough that it runs but not so much it pings. There is also the possibility that the starter itself is dragging internally fron a worn armature or bad bushings or such. IF all of the previous stuff checks out and it still turns over slow or sporadically, have the starter itself checked. It can be a pain to get out by the way. One bolt in particular.

If you find anything definitive, do let us know.

Leonard