I’m about to put in a block heater in my B230FT engine. From the instructions with the Volvo block heater it says to install it in the far back on the right side of the engine. How do I get the freezer plug out of the block, without damaging the machined surfaces surrounding the freezer plug? I have heard about drilling a pilot hole and using a puller to extract the plug (difficult getting the drill into this crammed area). I have also heard of just punching (penetrating) the plug with a screwdriver, and then just pry it out. I think I have also heard of using a chisel and punch one of the sides of the plug to make it turn. Then just grip it with pliers and pull it out. I would like to hear from someone who has experience with removing the freezer plugs with some suggestions on which is the best and easiest way of removing these freezer plugs.

Also, is there any reason why Volvo instructions say to put the block heater in such a difficult to reach place? Why not, for instance, the freezer plugs in the front of the engine on the intake side? It would be a breeze to get to these plugs.