Removing motor from pump housing

I can’t seem to remove my Jacuzzi (A.O. Smith) 1 HP motor from my Jacuzzi Cygnet II pump.  Both were made in 2003.  I have all of the hardware removed.  I can see the back end of the shaft in the middle of the motor.  I can pull the motor about 1/8" away from the pump housing and the motor can be rotated about 10 degrees in either direstion, but it will not pull out and become completely seperated from the pump housing.  What I’m I not doing to get this motor seperated?  I have pictures if that might help.  Just need a way to upload or attach them.

Once the bolts that secure the motor to the pump housing are removed, the motor should slide back. The issue could be an expanded diffuser gasket that’s preventing the motor from being removed. Some pool owners have used flathead screwdrivers to gently pry the motor back from the housing.