bad rear main problem...

so someone who has changed the rear main on my 94 before decided they LOVE silicone, siliconed both sides of the pan gasket and now the upper and lower halfs of the rear main..... i got the lower half out but now i have no idea what to do on the upper, i've been taping it with a punch and hammer and no movement, i REALLY don't want to pull the crank at all. help please????

Kyle,
That upper seal does have a metal core. Keep taping it! LOL Mine was pretty stubborn too, especially with the tight quarters under there. Just be careful not to bur up the slots.

keep going, it will eventually come out. they are a pain!