need help taking off fan! argh!

[slater]

after looking at all of the awesome engine pictures, i decided i want to polish up my fan and paint the housing. Problem is, part of my housing is a little cracked and bent. Not enough to cause any problems with operation, but now i cant get the dumb alternator and fan out! The studs must be jammed in there from the bent housing, because it doesnt even move a little. Any tricks to getting this thing out, or is it possible to get the fan off without taking the alternator out? I cant be the first one with this problem! Thanks in advance -k
By the way, 75 2.7s

[autobonrun]

The fan should come off the alternator shaft easily once the front nut is off. You may need to wiggle it slightly as you pull. The alternator can not be pulled out at the same time. It's wedged in too tight and the attached wires and shroud bolts on the back are also holding it.

Once the fan is off, loosen the metal belt around the housing to the chassis. Pull the housing out until you can reach behind it. Don't pull too far because the wires are still attached. Loosen the bolts holding the air deflector shroud to the housing. There are about six of these bolts. Have a two or three foot flex magnet available in case you drop a nut. I like to place a rag under the nut I'm removing to catch it if it drops. Rotate the housing so you can reach all the nuts. Once they are all off, push the shroud back until you can reach the wires on the alternator. make a drawing of the connections including the wire colors.

You will then need to disconnect the wires from the back of the alternator, then remove the housing with the alternator attached. Place the assembly on two pieces of wood with towels underneath. Then using a rubber mallet, tap the ends of the bolts that held the shroud to the housing. Make sure you tap the bolts that go through the housing and not the alternator itself. It will drop off. Also, make sure you don't loose the key that fits in the shaft holding the fan in place. Oh, and disconnect your battery BEFORE you remove the wires. Ask me how I know.

Here's a shot of the bolts you need to tap to loosen the alternator from the housing.