I am changing the antifreeze today in my 6.9. I know that when you drain the radiator you only drain about half of the fluid. I believe there is a drain on the block to drain the fluid, could someone tell me where it is. Thanks!!

 

the plug on the 7.3 is under the passenger side exhaust manifold the 6.9 and 7.3 are pretty much identical so i am assuming it will be in the same place as the 7.3 or some where not to far from there.
Make sure you use sca's (system coolant additives) and low silicate coolant or extended life antifreez

I have never heard of draining the rad half way and then draining the rest from the block , what is the reason for that , reason i am asking is that i am doing my antifrezee later on today too, and i was just going to drain
the rad and run some distilled through the system drain it fill it with 4gal of elc and then top it off with distilled water .

 

There are 2 drain plugs, pax side just ahead/below of the block heater.. Drivers side just below last frost plug behind the oil cooler.

BajaGringo Block Drains

The block drains are just 1/4"npt pet*****, available in the "HELP" section at the auto parts store. You need a 9/16" crowfoot socket that fits on a socket extension to reach in to tighten them (There's no room for a reg open end wrench). Then, cut up an old spark plug socket to fit over the petcock to loosen/tighten. Once they are loose, slip the 3/8" rubber hose over the end of the petcock and continue loosening the petcock (with the other end of hose in bucket). Intstalling these is still messy and a bit of a hassle, but NEXT TIME it'll be a lot less messy and a lot easier. Smear 'em with anti-seize to make sure they turn 'next time'. This makes saving/reusing the expensive DCAs/antifreeze possible if you use CLEAN BUCKETS. I bought a special funnel that snaps into the radiator fill, and use a metal spray paint funnel/filter/screen just to make sure nothing too big gets back in there. Yeah, I'm a little '**** retentive', that's probably why my eyes are brown. BajaGringo
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I added them to mine a few weeks ago(idea stollen from Baja) I confirm they are 1/4" npt pet***** and the 9/16" crowfoot is neccassary also.

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Kennyd
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Get the quality brass pet***** that open fully with a 1/4 turn (twist-**** on the side). There's all different kinds available.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >

 

Thanks!! I put some bars leak in about a month ago when changing the thermostat and I think it damaged the thermostat. It sat a couple weeks and yesterday I took it out and it overheated. I think the thermostat is stuck shut. I want to get all of the bars leak out of the system that's why I want to drain the block. The thermostat housing or water outlet, whatever you call it, is warped and I can't get a good seal so after about the forth time trying to get it to stop leaking I went out and bought some bars leak.

 

If you are replacing the thermostat, you will need a motor craft one as that's the only one that will work. They can be gotten from amazon for $20 with the gasket included.

 

Snapon you wouldnt happen to have the motorcraft part number of the t-stat do you?

 

Hey Coalroller...the Motorcraft Thermostat Part Number is E5TZ-8575-C
.....................the Navistar or IH Thermostat Part Number is 1807974C94

Either one is appropiate.....Good Luck!

Pete

 

I just copied the part# from oriellys and pasted it in the amazon search button and it popped up.

Don't be afraid of that coolant plug, I got it out with a 10 inch extension and a 9/16 short socket-no swivel head needed. I guess I only ended up getting 6 1/2 gallons between flushing the rad. and pass. side plug because 6 1/2 is all that went in. I had been flushing it out though so the water was coming out clear so I just put 4 gallons of fleet charge in and topped it off with distilled water.

 

Thanks Pete

 

Just wanted to verify where the coolant plug on the block is. On the passengers side there is a bolt looks like 9/16's and you can see the threads, not in all the way. It is between two freeze plugs just behind the starter. Is that the drain plug?

 

yea that should be it.... they don't go all the way in just enough to be tight.... there is another on the drivers side but you have to crawl under the truck and look up to see it... may need a flashlight. looks the same as the passenger side