I've been caught talking to myself before....hard to believe that I'm the first one to tackle this job. A 1/2" plate notched over the shaft and threaded for two bolts to push against a bearing splitter against the pinion bearing nut is not enough. Even had the whole thing out in the cold for a few hours and then a quick heat with two torches. Plenty of Kroil too. Two weeks of frustration ! On to changing the bearings in the transmission while the machine shop modifies a clamp on collar to try and grab ahold of the prop shaft.