I know Optima battery life has been discussed many times, looking for more current info..

It sounds like Optima was bought out a few years ago, it reads on line like quality has dropped dramatically.
My red top lasted 7 years, which sounds like the norm more or less, there were probaly a few periods where it discharged somewhat due to sitting for a month or so.

I just bought a red top replacement, battery holder is custom to Optima so I decided to give one a try.
What are peoples current experience with Optima red tops under say 3 or 4 years old, are they lasting that long at least?

Thanks.

Easy guys.

I believe Scott was/is just merely looking for some tantelizing technical discussion behind the theory of oiling lubrication in it's varied applications within the FE engine.
I get this, there is a very complex system at play at it's core, fluid dynamics within a series/parallel circuit, loads, cycle times, cooling, you name it.   
Yes, the question was what clearance, but why "exactly"?  That is where the fun lies, just like understanding or hypothesizing about "exactly" why one should not cut the short side of an intake runner beyond don't do it... 

I would like to think there is room here for that type of discussion. I certainly enjoy it. 

Doubtful if there is much if any body panel rust after 5 years unless it was dinged at some point and a crap repair done, most makes are pretty good at this these days.  Your concern should be the fact that is was likely exposed to salt for years and depending on how much and what care it received body panel rust is in the cars future. 

Installed dual 11" SPAL fan assembly, they are beasts, cooled engine down quickly expecting it will be fine on hot summer days.  Problem is they never shut off.

Now question, bought a moderate priced relay/harness kit that came with an on/off thermostat, thermostat is junk, supposed to be on at 185 off 170 but it turned on at 200 or nearly so and not off until maybe 120 after turning car off and letting it sit for quite some time, measured with thermal gun. 

Not a single offering on Amazon or Summit has great reviews, SPAL and AFCO sound hit and miss as well. 
Has anyone had good luck with or can recommend a specific brand for fan control thermocouple?

Thanks.

Thanks Jay and ArtZarateJr.

ArtZarateJr, any chance you have a picture of what that radiator fin probe looks like?  Website is lacking, also wondering what the offset is and are there potentiometers or ? for setting temp. with that controller?

General question, my Edelbrock dual quad air gap with offset Holleys and MSD distributor leave little to no space to integrate second temp. sensor at the standard manifold location.  Adding one at the heater hose is also tough as the intake runner is right there so no way to do low profile elbow or T of any kind.  Other than being on the wrong side of the T Stat. does anyone see a down side to putting the sensor in the underside of the surge tank right by the radiator hose connection?

Thanks.   

I think we should start talking about paint versus cast iron porosity and significant shrinkage Jerry.

Is it hydraulic roller?
Not that there are not many other reasons to disassemble and clean but some hydraulic rollers are super sensitive to debris due to tight tolerances, ask me how I know?
I built my own, thought I had a spotless block but it was a home shop cleanup and guess what, fought a sticky roller, not worth taking the chance in my opinion if it is.