Model B mainshaft reinstall questions

I'm trying to reinstall the mainsaft of my model B.

I got the shaft to slide easily thru the gears and spacer, and got the rear splines (that engage the pto) thru the rear bearing. I still need to slide the mainshaft back further. I have approx 1/8" of the front race in the housing, but it seems to be hanging up now. I've tried tapping on the front of the shaft and front race with a block of wood, but i'm at a point now, that if I slided the shaft back any further, everything binds up. Then if I tap on the rear of the shaft (move it back forward) the binding is gone.

The 3rd gear (on the main shaft) is interwined with the 3rd speed idler gear(on the pinion shaft). I have the front bearing tapped in place up to the snap ring.

What am I doing wrong??? Is the rear bearing that tight of fit, that I need to mash the shaft thru the inner race??? Is the 3rd gear on main shaft and 3rd speed idler gear from pinion shaft causing the binding?? Should I remove the front bearing off the shaft until I get everything in position????

Any help or thoughts would be great. I'm concerned about having to thump hard on the front of the shaft, for fear I will mess up the rear bearing and/or race.

Blessings,

I've never been into a B, but my 45 I had to freeze the top shaft to get it in the rear bearing.

(quoted from post at 12:00:36 08/18/11) I've never been into a B, but my 45 I had to freeze the top shaft to get it in the rear bearing.

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I'll give that a shot. Thanks

(quoted from post at 12:00:36 08/18/11) I've never been into a B, but my 45 I had to freeze the top shaft to get it in the rear bearing.

Click to expand...

Tuck,

That did the trick....about 8 hours in the deep freeze, and slid right in.

THanks

One more question. I am going to make the gasket/reservoir that goes between the transmission and pto housing. Can someone tell me how high I should make the gasket reservoir. I was thinking as high as the 1st set of bolts going up the side of the housing.