I pulled the gear assembly from the rear balancer shaft. Now I have the worm gear showing. I locked the rear balancer arm in place and removed the screw that seems to holds the worm gear. The worm gear still will not slide off the balancer shaft. How does one remove this worm gear so one can get the oil pump plate off?

 

If the engine is in the car I don't think you can get a puller on it. So you will have to pry it off with a screw driver/pry bar. Make sure to alternate sides while prying. You may have to give the pry bar a smack with a hammer to help break it free from the shaft.

If the engine is out of the car you can use a 2 or 3 tooth puller to break that initial hold that the gear has on the shaft. Once you break that initial hold it should slide right off.

 

Excellent, thank you!