I went to install a new temperature sensor today for my 1991 and didnt quite realize that the sensor is a direct hole into the block. i reach down to unscrew the rest of the way...hot fluid starts squirting all over my hand..[sm=badidea.gif]..ouch!! trying hard as heck to get that s.o.b back in with a wrench, finally got it in after losing about a quart of fluid all over my engine. (its gonna be a live and learn experience with this car) just wondering the best way to go about draining the coolant to a safe level and how to do this right! thanks in advance.

 

Dain it out the radiator and it will lower the level in the engine. Water seeks the lowest level.

 

That's how the sensor works, by coming in contact with the coolant. But I'll bet you figured that one out by now!
You could drain it by opening the petcock on the bottom of the radiator, if yours has one. I usually just loosen and slide back the lower radiator hose at the radiator itself and drain it into a bucket. Either of those ways would obviously be done after it cools off somewhat.

 

I do it when its cool and have the new sender handy so i can put a thumb over the hole and the sender in when I'm ready.