Sorry for the time delay in replying. I was waiting to have parts in hand before I started cutting and grinding things that I might not be able to replace. But success I did get the shaft off with just a grinder and thin cutting disc and without damaging the cover plate. The shaft had not been broken but what did happen was that the coupling spun on the shaft and striped the splines on the shaft and in the coupling. So the logical fix (I guess) is to gob enough metal to it and your good to go. Anyway still waiting on the new coupling to mate to the new shaft and bearings, then I should be back to a runner
Thanks for the advice and points to ponder by all. Just one more question though. Does anyone have any idea what I should torque the cover plate down to and if there is a certain bolt pattern I should follow?
These are the parts after I got done with the removal. On the left is the coupling and on the right is the shaft and goodies that hid behind the cover plate.