The only stupid question is the one not asked.

What you see as a part of the body under the lower hose is the splash guard, sometimes called the gravel shield. It is removable from under the car, and is a PITA to install. Also, the bolt holes can break off easily.

Another problem is getting pools of antifreeze/coolant slopped around on the driveway. The stuff has an odor that attracts animals, and it's deadly. Plus, depending on your area, is might be a forbidden pollutant. Best to find a way to drain the system differently.

Here's my method: Have on hand an empty jug, like an antifreeze jug. Place it down sort of sitting on the alternator. Loosen the clamp that holds hose to the bottom of the overflow tank. Remove the clamp that holds the overflow tank in place.

Now you can move the overflow tank around and dump out its contents. Then raise it above the height of the radiator, remove the hose from the bottom, and poke the hose down into that empty jug. Might be a good idea to have two jugs. Let that hose be all downhill from its connection to the radiator.

Quite a lot will drain out. My next step is to put a special antifreeze jug down on the alternator, laid on its side.

The jug is special because I have made a long oval-shaped hole on the side
that's down from the cap. Loosen the clamp holding the lower hose to the water pump. Pull it off carefull, being ready to poke the hose down into the hole in the special jug.

All that rain dance gets almost all the coolant out, and without slopping up the driveway, very much.

I have had poor luck draining from the petcock on the rear side of the block, below exhaust rail #4.

Connect up all the hoses, get the jugs out of the way, fill from the overflow tank cap, and start the engine. Heater temp valve set to HOT.

Run it for 10-15 minutes, and then dran things out again. You won't get the last little bit out this way, but it's a way to get it clear enough to put in fresh antifreeze.

By the way, IMHO the best dilution for antifreeze is 50/50 with steam distilled water.

Thermostat is a very easy job. Biggest caveat is to NOT overtighten the nuts when installing. The ears break off rather easily.

Clean the area of contact on the head. Be careful if using a steel blade. A steel blade, like a razor scraper, can carve away the softer aluminum of the head. Forms a situation known as "Neva-seal".

It is necessary to hold the thermostat up inside the housing, I use a bit of string.

The wobbly little rivet thingie goes at 12:00 or 11:00 position.


Good Luck,

Bob

:>)