How to slide back the drive shaft on Albin 27

[Maxsail]

In our continuing saga of trying to slide the driveshaft rearward after separating it from the transmission so as to give clearance for the removal of the transmission from our Nissan 6 cyl engine, we have now reached a new impasse that no advisor has yet mentioned.
A brief background:
The shaft is 1 1/4" . It has been cleanly disconnected from the transmission. The stuffing box has been opened and the "cup" backed off approx 8". The bearing located on the bulkhead forward of the aft cabin beneath the fuel tank has been completely cleaned and relubricated and all "crud" that might inhibit movement removed.
When all these actions still failed to allow the rearward movement of the shaft (with severe persuasion) we loosened all four bolts that held the bulkhead bearing plate assembly in place with the thought of pushing the entire assembly rearward from the front of the shaft. With pry bar on the head of the shaft we found that there was still something "mechanical" stopping the rearward movement before it even arrived at the bulkhead bearing. QUESTION Is there another more forward bearing or other unknown device hidden under the fuel tank as yet unidentified that is preventing the rearward movement? The rearward movement is not being prevented by corrosion or friction but by a hard mechanical "stop".
Again thanks for your input. Bill

[Maxsail]

JT Thanks for more insightful thoughts. Having your tank out and your photos has been a help.
We know our cutlass bearing is not binding and we had the thought of a tapered shaft too and measured it in a couple of places but all aft of where it exited the bulkhead bearing. We should measure it up further closer to the trans to see if its the same there.
Our next step was to be to try to slip a camera down the shaft from the trans end under the fuel tank to confirm there weren't any other mechanical obstructions underneath. Your observation that you had none is again valuable.
Because of your unique circumstances, if it wasn't too much of an imposition I was going to ask if you would mind chatting on the phone briefly. I have never used the "personal message" function on the site but I could send you my phone # on that and we could pick a time at your convenience.
Again my thanks for your help
Bill

[JT48348]

PM sent

[Maxsail]

Well for followers of our efforts here I can tell you our great success is only outshone by our terrible timing.
We have managed to slide the drive shaft back by unscrewing all 4 bolts holding the bulkhead bearing in place which did release the out of sight plate holding the four retaining nuts and all pressure. Slid right back with some persuading. It then took us only about a half hour to remove the tranny and find it and not the engine was frozen. We should be celebrating except ... now we know this fairly easy seeming solution and are close to restoring my great little trawler and boom, my house sold... who would have thought buyers needed so fast a closing. BOAT MUST BE MOVED FROM MY LIFT NOW !
So we can't complete it and I am in distress sale position at about 1/3 value.
For an Albin lover or wannabe my agony is someone's greatest opportunity. You assess this project yourself. But for only $9,000 you can love it as I have or flip it but you will have to remove it from my lift by January 29th. Please respond here and we can discuss further.
Bill