I recently plugged in my block heater just to see if it worked and it started smoking...I'm assuming its shot or something....my question is can I remove it or is it actually "part" of the motor? I'm tempted at the very least to chop off the cord

 

The block heater just takes the place of a freeze plug so you can remove it and put a regular freeze plug in. If it isn't leaking, I wouldn't mess with it.

 

Would it be safe to lop the plug off?

 

Yes it would. Depending on the block heater, it may just disconnect where it goes into the engine.

 

That would be cool....i've tried tying it and zip tying it in various places and it just won't stay...