Now where is that pesky coolant drain plug I'm reading about?

p_books · 10-17-2009

Hey All!

Forgive me for not posting my intial thread in the welcome section but thought i'd say hello from here.

I found a car that I never thought i'd buy and really love it.
Got a cherry 1988 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe and everything works on it.

Well, I'm going through and changing all the fluids. I was lucky enough to get the factory manuals with the sale but I have run across a problem.

Reading the coolant change section, they make reference to a coolant drain plug on the block but I can't find it.
Could someone show me a picture of where it is at?

I have a feeling it is under the exhaust side somewhere by the freeze plugs but can't tell where it is at. I can only find bolts to mounting brackets.

So, if someone can describe exactly where it is at or better still, show a photo, i'd be greatful.

Thanks
Pb

TOM RENZO · 10-17-2009

ITS NOT THEIR . ON THE TURBO ENGINE IT IS USED FOR THE WATTER FLOW THROUGH THE TURBO. Its on the pass side bellow the turbo and it has a silicone hose with 2 clamps and a mettal line. It is used for watter flow through the turbo. Just drain and flush the radiator and call it a day.

ExtrmZ · 10-18-2009

you could just take the lower radiator hose off and the coolant will flow out.. make sure you can catch most of it with something

p_books · 10-18-2009

Tom: I thought that was for the oil flow. Mea Culpa.
ExtrmZ: would like to forget it but the very first car I did a head job on had a **** load of sand in it. From casting or old antifreeze, idk (it was a 2.3.) I only know enough to flush it as good as I can.

NavySVO · 10-18-2009

there are 2 different set-ups for the Ford 2.3L turbo

1. Oil cooled turbo only. This will still have the plug in the block for the coolant passage.

2. Oil and Water cooled turbo. The coolant SUPPLY to the turbo comes from this passage where the plug was in the oil cooled version.

TOM RENZO · 10-18-2009

HOW GOES IT KURT. I think he said he has an 88 TC. To my knowledge they use watter????(IHI) He can pull out the hose adapter and flush it then reinstall the adapter and silicone hose. I dont use the silicon hose i hard pipe it with an adapter. The silicone sleeve has a nasty habit of failing from turbo heat. Hope this helps. The oil supply comes from the head on the drivers side. It draind on the pass side to the side of the block. The watter line is further back on the motor.TOM

NavySVO · 10-18-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by TOM RENZO

HOW GOES IT KURT. I think he said he has an 88 TC. To my knowledge they use watter????(IHI)

Understand, but I was putting out the differences for the home crowd. Also, people over the years "alter" things. Kinda like the dude on here with the SVO that has had the fuel filter removed?

p_books · 10-18-2009

*Pb scribbles notes furiously*

Man, you'd think they'd make the manual would make something like that clear. Especially since it ain't made by Nissan mechanics. (I love having a straight forward book to read again.)

Thanks again for the info Kurt and Tom.

Fortunately it seems well taken care of. And it sure seems like a Ford mechanic was doing the work. Tightened the oil plugs in the T-5 so tight that metal was in the threads when I got it loose and the 1/2 square where the wrench goes in are partially stripped.

OH! Does anyone know if someone makes the fluid additive for the rear end on this? I think I might have an old one in my storage room (15+ years old) but would like to see if Castrol or someone makes it. Want to save a trip to the Ford dealer.

NavySVO · 10-18-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by p_books

OH! Does anyone know if someone makes the fluid additive for the rear end on this? I think I might have an old one in my storage room (15+ years old) but would like to see if Castrol or someone makes it. Want to save a trip to the Ford dealer.

Any parts store. And it's called friction modifier. 4 oz of it and top off with diff fluid.

Tips:

1. pour it in first
2. don't get it on anything because it smells like the 7th hour of an 8 hour Iraqi Airlines flight.

DBT4220 · 10-18-2009

couldnt you just take the coolant temp sensor out of the side of the block and flush it out that way? and your looking to do a complete system flush?

p_books · 10-19-2009

Kurt, if I can get the item on the shelf to cross reference with the ford # than i'm good to go.

DBT, good idea. I'll look into it. Hopefully it is low enough and the part is not flakey (i.e. prone to fail by just looking at it.)

NavySVO · 10-19-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by p_books

Kurt, if I can get the item on the shelf to cross reference with the ford # than i'm good to go.

You are kinda nukin' this a bit. It is like you are asking if you can get motor oil only if the stuff has a cross reference to a Ford part number. It is friction modifier, not a specific replacement part. Very common. Used in a TON of clutch-type differentials. Now, if you want the Ford OEM specific stuff, go to the dealer. It is no different than the stuff you get at AZ or NAPA.

Quote:

Originally Posted by p_books

Hopefully it is low enough and the part is not flakey (i.e. prone to fail by just looking at it.)

Same on this PB. Get a drain container and undo the lower radiator hose and drain. Reconnect hose. Add flush and water per directions. Operate vehicle per directions. Drain per lower radiator hose. Add coolant and water per factory recommendations. Drive away with a smile!

b_chandler · 10-19-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by p_books

Kurt, if I can get the item on the shelf to cross reference with the ford # than i'm good to go.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NavySVO

You are kinda nukin' this a bit. It is like you are asking if you can get motor oil only if the stuff has a cross reference to a Ford part number. It is friction modifier, not a specific replacement part. Very common. Used in a TON of clutch-type differentials. Now, if you want the Ford OEM specific stuff, go to the dealer. It is no different than the stuff you get at AZ or NAPA.

I'm with Kurt on this. I guarantee in the 21 years that car's been on the road, it's had aftermarket (read

robably better) friction modifier in the diff. The Ford stuff is a relabel of a major brand's friction modifier which is a copy of another major brand's modifier which was formulated in conjuction with the engineer who designed the clutch type limited slip differential.

You're probably considering synthetic gear lube aren't you?

Nice find if the car is as clean as you say. Have Fun!

p_books · 10-19-2009

I just don't want to screw up what is suppose to go in the rear end as an additive. Never had a posi/traction lock rear end vehicle. I know from my business (hvac) that you go around throwing in another oil *that is suppose* to be like OEM you can get your ass bit hard.

BChand, I don't know the cars history indepth hence I'm changing all fluids to be safe. Always do that with my vehicles.

Let a man have his paranoia

b_chandler · 10-19-2009

Just trying to save you some hassle and a little pocket change. If it helps ease your paranoia then it's money well spent I suppose.