Hi,
I started pulling apart my 465 today. Is there a trick to getting the top plate/cover off. I tried popping it off like most sticks but it doesn't seem like the shift forks want to pull off the syncros? I can only lift it up about 1"

it has to be 1/2 way into rev to remove or install the cover

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=blazer4x4&Number=381736&page=&view=&sb=&o=&vc=1

if you follow a bunch of threads from Krazie around that time period he did a ton of work including a mainshaft swap and hydro clutch conversion going from an auto to a manual.
there is a ton of good reading, trials and tribulations.
He is a super nice guy and has tons of images from everything he did.