Nice catch on the wires, thanks for noting that. How I long for a new harness...
I am not sure if the fan clutch was dead or not, it is likely original. It had okay grab when cold and was surprisingly free when hot. Car seems to stay in the lower cool position more often with the new one installed. (I have never seen above center until things got weird recently.)
No leaves up front for me, they prefer to get stuck inside the fender near the doors lol.
The cylinders have been pressure tested and I haven't failed a block tester yet. I also had the heater core tested a few years back and replaced those gaskets and pipes through the firewall.
Thermo was only a couple years old, I replaced it and remove the jiggle as the old school guys recommend. I also use the amazing yellow burping funnel and burp on an incline, so I feel good about that.
Cap is maybe a year old, cleaned and checked for pitting. Seems good, and no crud on attachment point.
I have also been hearing weird sounds from behind the glove compartment for the past few years. Not the more central waterfall in the heater core, but like a clicking or sucking and much more to the right. I read a thread once where 87240-14140 (valve assy, water heater) can lead to air in cooling system, so I am thinking of replacing that since it is available and is in the right place. And about the only part of the system I haven't replaced lol. Well, that and the radiator. But I am not quite ready for that. How does the Mishimoto fit? Any trouble with the stock fan shroud or do you have lose that?