separating case
 

Just trying to clarify if the oil pressure relief pistons must be removed to separate the case halves. I can't seem to find anything in Wayne's book mentioning it (may have missed it) but the Bentley manual shows it being done during the process. Something is hanging up when the halves are about 1/2" apart and I can't seem find anything obvioius. It's not any of the bolts...
TIA

No, no need to remove the relief pistons. If you have 1/2" of clearance all the way around, then you should be free. They often don't want to come apart. I just keep going around the case with a mallet and a piece of soft wood as a drift. Absolutely no prying allowed :)

Little relief pistons are not in the way, but the big ones will not go thru, Did you remove the pistons?

I have not removed either...there are 2, correct? Craig, I'm not sure I follow your reference to big ones and little ones...
Thanks for the quick replies.
I am kicking myself since I used a large screwdriver on a couple of sections to get it moving but I was being careful not to hit the mating surface...may have been a stupid mistake that will come back to haunt me.

Did you remove the 6 pistons?

Sorry, yes, all 6 pistons/cylinders are out, only con rods in place.

Tap gently using a piece of wood as a drift. It will come apart.

OK...it's slowly coming apart and the only thing that has me concerned now is the crank seems to be coming up with the "left" or the side that is not attached to the engine stand. I want it to just stay in the half that's going to have it's inside "side" facing up correct? How can I avoid damage and get the crank to drop down back into the lower side? It seems pretty well attached to the side that's coming up, in particular on the flywheel end with the large oring seal.
Thanks,

You can tap the case back down, then when you get close to closing, give the crank a couple good whacks with the rubber-ended mallet. Should drop right on down. You can hold one of the protruding rods as you tap the case back down to preven the crank from falling.

Thanks...that makes sense.