little horse.

Are you indicating that the '56 didn't have the tube, but you want to use it to make the engine more '46-ish!

A conventional soft plug can be removed with a sharp screwdriver or chisel. Blast it off center with the sharp tool. It should puncture the plug and rotate it in the hole. It can then be pried out using the block as a lever.

It isn't unheard of to accidentally drive the plug into the water jacket....no big deal, but you are dealing with the crankcase...BIG DEAL.

If you hit it on the edge, it will most likely stay in the hole, but will rotate and you can grab it with vise-grips.

I have seen folks use a slide hammer with a coarse screw on the end. Drill a hole, screw in the hammer, and give it a pull...viola! Be careful.

Isn't there a baffle located on inside of the block that prevents oil splash to that vent tube...I wonder if it's there?

Stuart