engine and drivetrain Engine (Block) Coolant Drain Plug Location?

[PaulTWinterton]

Before I climb under my car and start loosening bolts, can someone show me a picture of the coolant drain plug location.

 

Also, I've read a bit about replacing the plug with a stopcock.  Any advice and/or pictures?

 

Thanks for reading and replying.

 

 

[Preyupy]

It is on the side of the block straight down from the #4 exhaust port, right behind a vertical bulge in the block for the internal oil drain back.  It is a 19mm head plug. 

[PaulTWinterton]

Thanks Preyupy,

 

BTW, I'd sure LOVE to see your Turbo someday.  I've heard about a vintage meet in the Seattle area in early summer.  I'm going to ask my buddy for more details, but he said it was a well-organized weekend of racing, camping, and other events.

 

If I'm lucky I'll see you there.

 

Cheers,

 

Paul

[roadhog0]

It's this one right here. (And his turbo is amazing in person and oh the sound it makes!!)

 

 

My car and his

 

[Preyupy]

come on down tomorrow morning, the 2002 crazies are getting together at Alki.  I'm driving my '70 (have had it for 39 years and just built a new dry sump, EFI 2 liter for it)  My friend Chuck is going to bring the Turbo.  The vintage race meeting is July 4-6 at Pacific Raceways, It's always a good show. 

[PaulTWinterton]

Thanks for the invite.  Unfortunately I have to decline.  Heater valve is out of the car awaiting new seals, AND there is a fresh coating of salt on the roads because of an overnight freeze.

 

I DEFINITELY will be coming down for July 4-6 though, maybe sooner.

[OriginalOwner]

I haven't loosened that coolant drain plug in over 20 years .... I'm afraid that it is rusted in and will snap off if I try ....

 

Cheers,

 

Carl

Edited January 31, 2014 by OriginalOwner

[roadhog0]

I haven't loosened that coolant drain plug in over 20 years .... I'm afraid that it is rusted in and will snap off if I try ....

 

Cheers,

 

Carl

Mine, that I know of, had never come out of the block until a couple months ago. Yah, I killed a knuckle doing it... But it came out! You may have the same luck!

[Preyupy]

it is also possible once you remove the plug no water will come out.  The rust and junk is just built up right behind the plug, with it out take a screw driver or punch and knock a hole through the crud and be prepared for the flood.

[PaulTWinterton]

My oh my, I don't expect there to be crud, but now I'm intrigued.  I've always kept my cooling system clean, but I've never been into the block before.  I'll know tomorrow.

['76mintgrün'02]

when I replaced a freeze plug in my seventy-two chevy there was a ton of rusty sludge, so I vacuumed it out.  I cut two holes in the lid of a bucket.  One around two inches to fit my vacuum hose and another to fit a piece of half inch clear rubber tubing.  I jammed the tube into the block and got a lot of crud out that way.  The bucket kept the vacuum clean.  Hopefully yours is not so cruddy.

[jgerock]

Be ready for a massive flow of coolant when you remove that plug.  I changed my coolant last year and had not drained the block since I re-did the cylinder head.  Try to deflect the coolant away from the frame rail, as it will inevitably run down into the hidden abyss and drip on your garage or driveway floor.   If nothing comes out, then someone has neglected to properly maintain the coolant system.

[Mike Self]

You can prevent the coolant flood from your block drain "next time" by taking the original drain plug down to your local hardware store and finding a brass drain cock that fits.  It's been a long time since I did that and don't remember what I found that fits, but I don't remember having to recut threads in the drain cock to make it work.  Once I had a drain cock that fit, I soldered a short length of copper tubing to the outlet side so I can slip a small hose over the outlet and drain the coolant into a bucket.  Works like a charm.

 

If someone can confirm the drain plug's thread size (diameter/pitch) I'll visit the hardware store where I found this some years ago, match it up and post it on the board.

 

mike

[jimk]

Mike,

The difficulty is that the block is threaded with a straight thread and the plug used a metal gasket.  I think it might be easier to drill out a plug and fit a 1/8" NPT drain.  May need a street el of steel first into the plug as it might get close to the manifold if it sticks straight out the plug.

[02fanatic]

How important is it really to drain the coolant at the block?  I must admit that I haven't drained the coolant in any of my '02's for at least 10 years!  I do check for acidity though and it tests fine and is clear. So, I just avoid the mess.  When I do work on the cooling system I usually just drain it as best I can without pulling the block drain plug....it really "is" a horrible job! :-(

Edited February 2, 2014 by 02fanatic