Picked up my block heater today for my new Mounty, and when I went to remove the freeze plug it wouldn't budge. I was tapping one side pretty hard but didn't want to push the whole thing in.

I was wondering whether it would make sence to drill a small hole in the center, screw a screw in and use that to remove it or at least attatch a string to it just in case it does fall in???

I put a block heater in my 97 many years ago and I don't remember the plug being in so tight...but then again I did do it after only a few miles, not 64K that my Mounty has on it.

Tx

You can try the string idea, but the way I always do them is to use a blunt punch and tap on one side of it, and try to get it to kindof turn into the block, so one side of the plug goes into the block and the other one comes out, kind of hard to explain. Then I use vice grips to pull it out of the hole...

Yeah what Vairking said.

the string is a pretty smart idea too.
good luck.

If I may ask? why the need to install a block heater on a gas engine, or if not a need then the want to install a block heater on a gas engine?

just curious?

VarKing, that is the way I did my 97 Sport but I installed it when it was new, it jsut took a light tap to punch it out on one side, when I was tinkering with my Mounty last night it seems to really be stuck I was afraid to knock the whole thing in...but talking to a local reputable garage, he says, if you do knock it in, just retrieve it with a pair of pliers, no big deal.
I will attempt to do it again tonight, I was tapping pretty hard last night and it didn't budge.

Yes a block heater on a gas engine, makes me more comfortable in the morning without the wear and tear of letting it warm up and instant drivability is great.