Anyone have an idea what is causing my housing to not release?

I have a 2002 EX, (BMXA) that failed and I am attempting a rebuild on this transmission. It has not had regular fluid changes so I expect the clutches to need replacing along with the filter.

I have the honda service manual and it has been spot on, with no problems so far. I have removed the end cover, parking pawl components, main/countershaft locknuts, First clutch/gear/collar, Park lever/gear, ATF cooler lines, A/T clutch solenoids a/b, Input shaft sensor, Transmission housing mounting bolts, transmission hanger, connector bracket. I aligned the spring pin on the control shaft.

I fashioned a housing puller, but have only managed to crack the housing off about 1/8". It won't budge any further and I feel like I'll strip the threads if I apply any more force.

Another fact (possible red herring) is that the interior of the housing appears marred like it has been struck on the inside by a moving object. This makes me wonder if there is something that is binding the transmission housing - but I'm not sure how to confirm this.

Thank you in advance for any help!

 

if its anything like the housing of a manual housing, you really just have to work at it.. pulling mine apart took some brut force honestly, but it finally came off.

 

Thank you for the reply. I shall hit it with some lubrication and try again.
Thanks!