Taking heads off the good ole VE, and dont want any coolant to get in the oil passages. Where is the coolant drain? Thanks.

 

If you're gonna pull the heads for whatever reason I would like to believe you're gonna change the oil/filter also. At that point it shouldn't matter if a little coolant gets into the oil gallies. Just drain the radiator and you'll be ok.

 

facing the car...look on the bottom of the engine block on the left side (with the plastic sheilds removed) close to the alternator...you'll see one bolt (its the plug)...thats one of em...i could never find the one on the right side of the engine block...unless its on the back side, but no one would ever say!!!

 

I think the other one is on the back side around the drive shaft(I think I saw it back there). Has anyone ever taken these drain bolts out. I tried, but it was so tight, I was afraid I was gonna bust 'em.

 

I couldn't find the one on the back, but I was able to get the front one off. It took a 3 inch extension on my ratchet and about a foot long cheater bar to pry that sucker open. But over 4 quarts came out and it made changing the coolant a lot easier.

 

*sigh*
http://www.cybrrpartspro.com/Chilton...61CH01_44.HTML

Why are you removing the heads anyway? Candiman is right. You MUST change the coolant and oil w/ new stuff anyway. Makes for less of a mess though AMHIK.

 

YEA..it took some wd-40, an extension, and i used my torque wrench which is long as hell to get that one bolt out....took a lil elbow grease.....my only problem is when i tried to screw the bolt back in, i crossed drilled the threads a lil and i couldn't get it all the way back on....went to nissan and thought i got another screw..but they gave me a oil pan screw and then when i tried to take it back..they told me they didn't have that screw and i needed to go to home depot or something of that nature for that certain kind of screw...so i kinda screwed myself!!!

 

Unless you had all types of crud in your coolant passage where draining the block would have been beneficial, I dont understand why the radiator drain wouldn't have been enough. Even if you did have crud, most coolant flush products would have been ok to use. Why take the chance of a possible busted or strip block drain plug, just KISS

After re-reading this thread I had to edit my post. I was getting confused which member was who.

 

Would you rather have some clean coolant & some dirty or all clean coolant?

 

That's a no brainer. But let me ask, how dirty was the old coolant, want warranted the block plug to be removed. Of course I know it's his choice and not ours, but there are times when you have to keep things simple.

 

I just want to change mine because I bought it used and don't know if its ever been done. Espacially since I live in Tx.

 

I've removed the bolt on the right side (rear) of the engine, and nothing came out . I was sure it was the right bolt, So I've come to the conclusion that there is only one engine block coolant drain plug (contrary to what the FSM says).

 

Are you rebuilding them?

I can't wait to do mine. VTCS, valve stems, valves, springs, lifters etc....

 

Rebuilding VTCs and getting some new valve seals.

 

its was like this....when i would remove my radiator cap, i would always have this jelly like stuff on it...i've never used any of that radiator stop leak stuff or anything like that...it happened when i i thought i drained all the greenish coolant out and tried that orange coolant...then i started getin that jelly mess, not to mention the coolant looked brown from the colors mixin together....i did two more coolant flushes after that and was still havin that jelly crap....tired of wastin my money on radiator flush and coolant...i decided to drain the whole coolant system...or at least try, and thats why i had to remove the block plug....i did say nissan gave me an oil pan plug...its been screwed into the block for about 2 months now and no leaking....so i figure i'll just leave it until i can get a chance to go to home depot and find the correct plug, which will probably only happen if the oil pan plug fails...stupid i know!!!