'68 318 - Coolant left in heads when removed.

Exactly, and pulling the coolant plugs in the block rarely get you anywhere. There is usually a pile of foundry sand and sludge inside that is sometimes tough to get out. And watch out poking screwdrivers and the like in there. You could do some damage.
Damage? With a screw driver? Damage what? If'n you are tough enough to poke a hole in a cylinder wall or something with a screw driver you's a mean SOB. Kinda sorta the guy who pours Coors on his Wheaties in the morning!

Did see a guy try to drill out his freeze plugs. That action did lead to a whole in a cylinder wall.