Rick? Please give George some real advice!
Nothing like installing a block heater in the dead of winter, eh? That's when I did mine last year.
Yes, gently tap the freeze plug out with a hammer and chisel or big screw driver. I tapped on one side until the lip raised on the other, then grabbed the lip with channel locks and yanked it out. I think it's important not to whack the plug too hard because you don't want your chisel or the plug driven into what's behind it.
It took me a while to get the heater in straight because I didn't remove the loader and clearance was at a minimum (CK 25 & KL-130). And of course I figured that out after draining the system and removing the freeze plug. I used a large socket and extension to set the block heater base (I guess you call it that). You do have to take the heater apart to install it. Good luck. -WSJ