engine coolant drain plugs

[968]

engine drain plugs - where are they?
back by the oil drain or in front by the steering mechanism?
i pulled a bolt on the driver's side on the lower side of the engine block way back by the oil drain plug (above it) and nothing came out. i either did a perfect drain job, or this was not the plug. the one on the other side was pretty impossible to reach with a socket or wrench. there are also two bolts toward the front above the steering system, but i also couldn't get a tool on them. these are metal bolts and not plastic, right? i'm either looking right at them, or they aren't there. once again, haynes is no help on this one.
don't buy haynes.
i'm all drained, flushed, t-stat swapped and ready for fill.
want to make sure i've done it all before filling it back up.

[968]

okay, went out fresh today and found the engine drain plugs. they're actually allen sockets. the one on the driver's side is pretty easily accessible, but the one on the passenger side.... i can see it but i have no idea how you're supposed to get a tool on that! maybe i'll just let sleeping dogs lie. i've already drained/filled with distilled water a few times and the stuff coming out is pretty clear.
my biggest question at this point.... i should mix the coolant pretty heavy with anti-freeze because the 2 quarts or so in the engine is going to be mostly water, right?

[SaleenFiend]

I would run more antifreeze when it gets into the colder months. You can run straight water if you would like during the summer months. The coolant is used as a lubricant for the water pump/thermostat and to eliminate freezing in the winter months

[SpectorV]

some should come out, when they took mine out of my engine block it had some in it for sure.

[968]

i wonder how you/the mechanic got to the screws? i can see them, but they sure are up in the engine.
i don't have allen sockets, so i'm going to go get some (a handy tool to have anyway) and see if a few extensions and a socket will reach.

[968]

just went and bought an allen wrench socket for my tool set. with a ratchet, extension and 5/16" allen wrench, i got the drain bolt off the driver's side of the engine block.
the drain that i thought was on the passenger side turned out to just be a rust spot. i just took a flash light and looked everywhere on the passenger side for a drain, but couldn't find one. the starter is right where the drain is on the corresponding passenger's side. i can't imagine they would have put a coolant drain right behind the starter, right? is there only one engine block drain on the v-8 engine? it's pretty tight under there with the a/c compresser and the starter. not too many options for locations.
oh, and quite a bit of coolant did come out of that driver's side plug. so it was worth it.

[968]

i looked again last night for the mysterious second block drain plug. i don't think there is a second on on my engine. 4/6L v-8 sohc. if it's there, it's in a very unique location or right behind the starter. either way, i gave up looking and refilled the coolant. let's hope for no leaks today.

[Otlaw80]

I've never inspected a 4.6 up close so it may only have one?? I know the 302's have 2 of them. And even if you can get to them, they can be a PITA sometimes. Your not losing anything by only removing one. You will be fine mixing it 50/50 and not worrying about the little water left in the engine if there is some. I would never recomend using only water in a DD. The coolant also has rust/corrosion inhibitor's in it to keep the engine components and radiator from gunking up, besides keeping everything cool. Good luck