Coolant plugs - location on engine block??? 4.3l '97
 

Anyone ever taken these plugs out?

Where's the passenger side plug? It seems like it should maybe be behind the starter, but I don't feel anything there or see anything in that vicinity. Help, please?

My hayne's book mentions a pair of coolant drain plugs on each side of the engine block. I read a rumor somewhere that there is a knock sensor in place of the passenger plug for some engines, but I don't see that either! I found a thread with the same issue from Apr2007, but it obviously isn't specific enough for me :( https://blazerforum.com/forum/2nd-generation-s-series-1995-2005-tech-41/coolant-plug-s-engine-block-9910/

I think I found the driver's side plug behind the tail end of the exhaust manifold near the start of the Y-pipe (a 9/16" bolt) but haven't pulled it out because I couldn't find the second plug. I also had difficulty getting a wrench in there (I might remove the wheel fender). My coolant is _old_ with a tinge of rust, so I'd really like to get both plugs out and flush her good.

As I write this, my engine sits in pieces. I started an intake manifold gasket replacement today. My uncle insists I should have just used stop-leak, but I'm not too keen on that. My plan is to do a flush after I get her back together and running. Info will be much appreciated.

This image should help:

fo' shizzle. That's a really useful pic. Thank you.

Here is a imgur link to the picture above. 1997 Blazer Coolant drain plugs on block - Imgur

So is there an easy way of getting to the plug on the passengers side without removing the engine, which is beyond my tools

IIRC, pulling one plug will drain both sides. I wanted to do the same thing you're doing but when I took out the second plug, nothing came out (and I even stuck a screwdriver in there to be sure it wasn't just clogged).