[mr0077]

Pony, one thing I did, not yet mentioned here: weld some 3/8" all-thread onto the end of the dowel, get a piece of pipe (I used 1/2")that will slip over the end of the all-thread and dowel, leaving about 1" of threads exposed. Put thick washer(s) on, put on a 3/8" nut to fit the all-thread and start tightening. It pushes the pipe against the block and pulls on the dowel, a nice gentle tug that will pull the dowel out of the block. Just do a good welding job on the all-thread to the dowel.
Let us know what works.